Hello my name is D.G.Torrens. I’m the author of Amelia’s Story, a true, powerful story written for my three-year-old daughter, so she better understands the hard road I had to travel before I got to where I am today. I live in Birmingham, England, and I have completed two books, and am currently finishing my debut thriller novel.

Dawn Torrens http://www.dawnsdaily.com

What benefits do you see in adding value to the community? In your eyes, why is it important to add value?

I think it’s extremely important to add as much value to your community as you can. This not only benefits the adults but especially the children, who are our future. It gives them something to aspire to. Adding value to your community brings so much positivity to everyone as a whole. No matter how you add that value, it can only be a great thing.

How often do you feel that way? Do you believe it’s a common feeling? Do you think you are alone in feeling that way, or are there others in the community that you believe share your ideals?

I feel this way all the time. I think more people than you would think feel the same: we all want the best for our communities. I don’t feel alone in my thinking at all. However,I do feel more people could step up and make a difference. I see great examples of wonderful people doing great things for their communities every day but more could be done.

Why do you think people are resistant to adding value? And how have you overcome that fear or resistance in your interactions with the community?

I believe we live in a culture now where people do not know their neighbors, never mind their communities; people are inclined to keep themselves to themselves more so today than ever before. People are afraid, I think, to step up to the challenge; however, with a little help they would be more than willing. People are afraid for so many reasons and hide behind their four walls. It’s a culture of “If it’s not happening to me I don’t want to know.” We need to change the thought process on the subject to make all our communities better places for everyone.

How do you feel writers can add value to their own community and the greater community of readers in general?

I think we as writers, in general, are in a fortunate position, because we can use our written word to reach the masses…Writers have a great platform to help their communities, to give something back to their communities or to charities of their choosing. For instance, I am a member of http://RABMAD.com/authors, which is all about giving back. All the members give a portion of their royalties to their chosen charities; that inevitably will filter down to the very communities we are talking about here. Writers could set up small writing groups, go into schools and give talks—there are so many ways a writer can add value to their community.

Amazing Artwork by

Do you think that there’s an ethos or method to adding value that can be cultivated, developed or learned?

I think it comes from your heart ultimately. If you are not willing, then how can you learn? It’s all about compassion and wanting to give back, wanting to help others. Yes to a point this can be learned, but I cannot help thinking that it should be something that is already in us somewhere, so I prefer to use the word encouragement: sometimes people just need a little help to make them see the good that will come from giving back.

What first lead you to this way of thinking? Has anyone or any event in your life inspired you and your opinions on adding value? Could you share with us a story about that person or event?

Okay this is easy; I myself am a success story to a point. As a child brought up in the state care system, I suffered a great deal for many years. However, I discovered a love for reading, and then writing naturally followed. Once my destiny was in my own hands, I made the decision not to be a statistic and to do great things with my life, not to waste a single minute. I am a mother now and an author; however, I can never forget the many children I was in care with, that did not have the strength of mind that I had to survive each day—that had no goals. I always promised myself that I would do everything I could to give back when it was possible. To help those less fortunate, but mainly to support what I call “forgotten children,” who slip under the radar of the state system umbrella, who need hope and encouragement. So for this reason, having lived the nightmare, I support these children in any way I can and support NSPCC and Barnardos currently.

On the flip side of adding value is receiving it; people don’t always find that easy. Do you have any experience or thoughts about what it means to receive well?

I don’t believe you should give to receive. I would personally feel uncomfortable with that. A nice smile and thank-you always suffices. However, I know what you mean. People have pride and rightly so. The key is to help people without making them feel like they are in your debt. That makes it easy for them to accept your help. I mean if we’re talking about setting up writing clubs that would be received greatly, if we’re talking about giving your time voluntarily that too would be greatly received. Giving to charity is not a problem, but if you are talking about giving something directly to an individual then yes that person may find it hard to accept your help.

What’s the greatest insight you’ve received from your work?

As an author , I have met many inspiring people who have humbled me greatly, especially through social media, the likes of Twitter and Facebook, and through my own website. There are so many inspirational people out there that have affected me greatly in different ways. I think directly from my own work, the greatest insight I can say I have received would have to be how my book Amelia’s Story has affected so many people—it’s autobiographical and powerful and has inspired many people . I have received messages from people all over the world telling me how my book has inspired that person. I never figured on that at all when I wrote my book. It took me by surprise in a great and humbling way.

Do you see a vision or ideal behind your work, something that ties it all together in terms of what draws you to it?

Yes I have a future vision, which I truly hope will come to pass: I want to found my own children’s charity one day, and I am hoping through my writing, I can make that a possible dream in the future.

There are many ways to add value. What would you recommend to others as a good starting point to begin adding value to their communities?

Go to your local town hall meetings, usually held in a school or community centre. Pay attention. Listen to the problems in your communities and possible upcoming changes that are being held back for many reasons, and think about where you could add value. Or maybe a local church would benefit from your writing experience. Give your time up for free to help children better their writing skills, and help them to develop a love for reading and writing by making it fun. That will cost you nothing but maybe an hour of your time two to three times a month. But it will be hugely advantageous to the children receiving your advice.

Do you believe everyone can benefit, if everyone is adding more into the community than they take out? What do you imagine that community to be like?

A very happy one I think. With everyone pulling together it can only benefit us all and show our children how communities can better our lives with a little help from each and every one of us.

Is there anything that you would like to add – any final thoughts?

It takes a strong person to stand up and be counted; make today that day and add value to someone somewhere!

Thank you for adding value today.

You are most welcome it was my great pleasure.

Please visit my website http://dawnsdailycom and my FB author page http://www.facebook.com/dgtorrens

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Your comments are welcome. Please share your thoughts with us below.Similar Posts:

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It’s all about compassion and wanting to give back, wanting to help others. Interview with D.G Torrens originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on May 29, 2012.

Geoff Talbot is a writer, actor, filmmaker and blogger originally from Auckland, New Zealand. Geoff has three feature scripts in development, including Lucky & Rich, a feature film combined with a transmedia storytelling project. Read more about Geoff here.

Geoff Talbot http://Sevensentences.com

Geoff and his wife, Athaliah, are the creators of sevensentences.com, a daily seven-sentence blog that seeks to offer hope, creativity and inspiration to other creative people online.

Geoff also runs Genuine Ink, a start-up social media consultancy company in Los Angeles that helps creatives, small businesses and charities build their brand one story at a time.

What benefits do you see in adding value to the community? In your eyes, why is it important to add value?

Well, firstly, my wife and I believe that real life is found only in community. We connect with others when we share what we have, and connection is one of the two ultimate reasons for living. Real community can only exist when we think about others more than ourselves and this is the genuine origin of adding value.

How often do you feel that way? Do you believe it’s a common feeling? Do you think you are alone in feeling that way, or are there others in the community that you believe share your ideals?

It’s always tempting to want to grab and steal for ourselves, especially when we are feeling anxious or scared. I think it is the tension that we all live with, the inherent desire to abandon ourselves to the love of others combined with the deep fear of being alone and abandoned in our sacrifice. Many people choose to live a life focused (to the best of their ability) on others.

Why do you think people are resistant to adding value? And how have you overcome that fear or resistance in your interactions with the community?

People resist for a number of reasons, busyness, greed, lack of knowledge, etc., but behind it all is most likely a deep-seated fear of missing out or been taken for granted.

We endeavor to overcome the resistance by continually giving both online and offline, even when we have nothing. Our faith and trust lead us in our actions, but they also grow through our experiences.

Amazing Artwork by Kirbi Fagan

How do you feel writers can add value to their own community and the greater community of readers in general?

By sharing themselves, by sharing what truly matters with others. When a good writer truly reveals who they are (both the good and the bad), it gives permission to others to do the same.

Do you think that there’s an ethos or method to adding value that can be cultivated, developed or learned?

I think it is a discipline.

What first lead you to this way of thinking? Has anyone or any event in your life inspired you and your opinions on adding value? Could you share with us a story about that person or event?

My faith tells me that life is all about loving others. The experience of giving what I have (living out my faith) has taught me that we become alive and free when we live so generously outside of ourselves.

On the flip side of adding value is receiving it; people don’t always find that easy. Do you have any experience or thoughts about what it means to receive value?

I think it is not so much giving and receiving but the simple concept of “sharing” that authenticates community. Sharing requires that the relationship be maintained. We can give without caring, but sharing requires we communicate. It is more challenging and rewarding.

What’s the greatest insight you’ve received from your work?

That when people come together we can do amazing things…

Do you see a vision or ideal behind your work, something that ties it all together in terms of what draws you to it?

Ultimately I am drawn to the principle that relationships can triumph over systems. That connection with others can overcome obstacles. For example: a loyal group of online supporters may be able to market a great film better than a studio.

There are many ways to add value. What would you recommend to others as a good starting point to begin adding value to their communities?

Write a blog for others rather than about yourself, BUT share your own experiences in a way that others can connect with or relate to.

Do you believe everyone can benefit, if everyone is adding more into the community than they take out? What do you imagine that community to be like?

Everyone does benefit but in immeasurably different and in sometimes intangible ways. But you are not truly giving or sharing if you are asking the question “will I benefit?” That’s more of an investment scheme.

So what does a community look like where people are always giving and sharing without expecting anything in return? Some kind of heaven?

Is there anything that you would like to add – any final thoughts?

Who you are is more valuable than what you do. Relationship trumps function every time!

Thanks for adding value today. 

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Comments welcomed below. Please share your thoughts.Similar Posts:

• “It’s not about me.” Interview with Jeff Goins
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Real Life is Found only in Community: Geoff and Athaliah Talbot originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on May 9, 2012.

Amberr Meadows http://www.amberrisme.com/

This interview is the fourth in a series of weekly interviews on the theme of adding value to the writing community. This week Amberr Meadows of www.amberrisme.com has agreed to come along as my guest interviewee. Please share your thoughts with us below in the comments section.

I’m a Georgia girl from Atlanta. In the last couple of years, I’ve transitioned into the role of writer and editor after years in mortgage banking, and I’ve discovered a passion for blogging in the process. I’m also working on my first novel, and when I’m not writing it, I’m with my family planning travel to the most amazing places in Georgia and beyond.

What benefits do you see in adding value to the community? In your eyes, why is it important to add value?

Adding value to the community makes for a stronger, healthier community, and this translates into more enlightened, happier individuals.

How often do you feel that way?

I feel this way every time I write a piece that will be exposed to the community, and I am not alone in my sentiment. There are too many people who write and speak of the importance of adding value to the community for me to ever think I am alone.

Why do you think people are resistant to adding value? And how have you overcome that fear or resistance in your interactions with the community?

I feel that people might be resistant to adding value because they are entrenched in the belief that the message they are sending is of importance. While it might be a message of importance to the person and perhaps their immediate circle, it may have very little bearing on the community. It is a shock to the ego to discover the things you share really have little meaning beyond a personal level. I have overcome resistance to this by exploring different ideas and testing the waters. Gauging the overall reaction of the community to different topics has helped me become better at providing content that does add value.

Amazing Artwork by Kirbi Fagan

How do you feel writers can add value to their own community and to the greater community of readers in general?

As writers learn and grow, I think it’s important for them to share what makes them successful, as well as what isn’t working. Telling other writers about their process ultimately adds value because it helps other writers avoid making the same mistakes. This in turn yields better writers and more satisfied readers.

Do you think that there’s an ethos or method to adding value that can be cultivated, developed or learned?

There are always methods to adding value that can be learned, but much of it depends on the individual. Some people are selfish and arrogant and won’t allow themselves to guide or be guided, and there are others who believe in the intrinsic value of serving and strengthening the community. I feel that much of it starts from within.

What first lead you to this way of thinking? Has anyone or any event in your life inspired you and your opinions on adding value? Could you share with us a story about that person or event?

This one is a tricky question, because I just don’t have a specific story. Growing up in a very poor, turbulent environment, I encountered several individuals in my journey who worked to help me and others in the community through good deeds—small and large. I detected an inherent goodness in these individuals, and feeling the warmth that radiated from them—even in the face of adversity—shaped the way I viewed the world. Through natural or learned humility (I’m not at all sure which) I cleaved to the practices of those who help others.

On the flip side of adding value is receiving value; people don’t always find that easy. Do you have any experience or thoughts about what it means to receive well?

I have experienced both, but I suppose an example of receiving value well might be through accepting the wisdom of elderly people and realizing the value they provide simply by having had far more years to figure out some of the mysteries of life. For a long time, in the foolishness and arrogance of misguided youth, I discounted the value of the elderly opinion. As a consequence, I ended up making some mistakes that I could have easily avoided. I was receiving the right words, but because I didn’t take them seriously and apply those teachings to my life, I received nothing. This was entirely my fault. This changed as I became more mature, and as I began listening to and appreciating advice, I began to enjoy the true benefits of such valuable teachings.

What’s the greatest insight you’ve received from your work?

The moment I decided to go public with my writing I realized I was no longer “in it” for myself. I felt the strong compulsion to entertain, teach, and add value to my audience, because the delight of others is a delight to me.

Do you see a vision or ideal behind your work, something that ties it all together in terms of what draws you to it?

The ideal behind my work is kindness and the importance of morality. I still make mistakes, and I will never be a saint, but I would never use my work as a tool to insult or tear others down. I choose, rather, to uplift those in my community as often as possible, and I am a fierce advocate of “The Golden Rule.”

There are many ways to add value. What would you recommend to others as a good starting point to begin adding value to their communities?

Many people only think in terms of the global picture, and this often overwhelms them into taking no action. The best way to add value is to start small—really small. If every person did one small deed for one other person in their community, it would make a huge difference in the overall community. It requires so little commitment but yields such a huge impact.

Do you believe everyone can benefit, if everyone is adding more into the community than they take out? What do you imagine that community to be like?

Yes, I feel everyone can benefit, but because many people are selfish and will never be capable of adding value to the community, it is difficult to imagine such an extraordinary thing. Were it actually possible, the community would protect the young, uplift the weak, and learn from the ancient. The result would be a strong, close-knit community where everyone prospers.

Is there anything that you would like to add – any final thoughts?

I’m not sure if this interview should have dealt more with my writing insights and less with life lessons, but in my realm, one cannot possibly exist without the other. I do appreciate you interviewing me today, and I hope to have added something—even if it might be minor.

Thank you for adding value today.
Follow @DavidNevin88

Follow @amberrisme
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“Share what makes you successful” : Interview with Amberr Meadows originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on May 1, 2012.

Jeff Goins http://goinswriter.com/

Jeff Goins is a writer, idea guy, and difference-maker. You can follow him on Twitter (twitter.com/jeffgoins) and connect with him on his blog (http://goinswriter.com). You can also check out his new eBook bundle: Every Writer’s Dream (http://goinswriter.com/get-published).

What benefits do you see in adding value to the community? In your eyes, why is it important to add value?

This is a hard question to answer, because it’s full of terms thrown around a lot in business. I prefer to think of it as helping people. What’s the benefit to helping your neighbor? Well, that’s kind of a silly question, right? The benefit is it feels good; it’s the right thing to do.

The same thing is true in blogging and just about any community. You treat people how you’d like to be treated. That’s the reward.

That said, what goes around usually does come around. If you help enough people get what they want, as Zig Ziglar said, they’ll help you get what you want.

How often do you feel that way? Do you think you are alone in feeling that way, or are there others in the community that you believe share your ideals?

That it’s good to help people? I don’t think it’s a natural human inclination (we tend to be selfish beings), but I don’t think it’s entirely unpopular, either. I’m finding there are more people than I thought who love helping people — not for any ulterior motives, just to help them.

Why do you think people are resistant to adding value? And how have you overcome that fear or resistance in your interactions with the community?

I think we are afraid. We are programmed to look out for ourselves, to survive. But the reality is we live in an age of abundance. Survival isn’t really an issue. We have more than we could possibly need. So why not be generous? The only thing holding us back is fear of change, of giving up discomfort.

How do you feel writers can add value to the writing community and to the greater community of readers in general?

Find a need and meet it. Don’t assume you know what it is. Start writing about your passions and see if they align with others’. You’ll probably zero in on a tribe. Then, ask lots of questions and do your best to help others succeed.

Do you think that there’s an ethos or method to adding value that can be cultivated, developed or learned?

Yes: “It’s not about me.”

What first lead you to this way of thinking? Has anyone or any event in your life inspired you and your opinions on adding value? Could you share with us a story about that person or event?

As a Christian, my faith is inextricably linked to my life. I can’t separate my understanding of the character of Jesus from how I treat people on a daily basis. I’m not always the model believer, but my belief in God nonetheless influences everything I write and all that I do.

On the flip side of adding value is receiving value; people don’t always find that easy. Do you have any experience or thoughts about what it means to receive well?

I used to tour with a rock band for which I played guitar. At the end of a concert, people would tell us how awesome we were —  even on the nights when we weren’t. It was tempting to deflect the comment, to turn it down or say, “Well, I don’t know about that.” But I realized that was really dishonoring the person’s kind words. It was an affront to them. So I started just accepting them, which was far more humbling than rejecting them.

What’s the greatest insight you’ve received from your work?

It never gets easier. Creating always feels like war.

Do you see a vision or ideal behind your work, something that ties it all together in terms of what draws you to it?

Yes. In a word: hope. Things can always get better. There is more to life than we see.

There are many ways to add value. What would you recommend to others as a good starting point to begin adding value to their communities?

Give something of value away for free.

Do you believe everyone can benefit, if everyone is adding more into the community than they take out? What do you imagine that community to be like?

Giving is a gift in itself. Everyone who gives gets. Those who hold back and only receive ultimately lose.

Is there anything else that you would like to add – any final thoughts?

No, David. You nailed it! Thanks.

Thank you for adding value today.

My pleasure.

Thanks for reading,  don’t forget to sign up to get the latest posts directly to your inbox.

Do you feel you everyone who gives gets? What was your greatest insight? What do you feel you can do? Please share your thoughts below.

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“It’s not about me.” Interview with Jeff Goins originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on April 24, 2012.

Michael K. Rose is an author of primarily science fiction. His current project is a series of novellas entitled Sullivan’s War. He has just released the second book in the series, A City without Walls, and the third and final book, Edaline’s Dawn, is due out in mid-May. Michael lives in the southwestern United States and is an avid traveler. http://myriadspheres.blogspot.com/

 

What benefits do you see in adding value to the community? In your eyes, why is it important to add value?

The answer to this is simple. I am a member of the writing community. The more value it has, both for readers and other writers, the more it will benefit me. I know that sounds selfish but it is not only for my gain that I want this writing community to have value. I rejoice in the success of others as well as my own and always try to help other writers when they ask, and often even when they do not ask.

How often do you feel that way? Do you think you are alone in feeling that way, or are there others in the community that you believe share your ideals?

I often look for ways to help other authors. When I get on Twitter or Facebook, for example, I browse the messages from the writers I’ve gotten to know and look for messages that I can promote. And I am absolutely not alone in this. I have actually been quite taken aback by the kindness and generosity that other writers have shown me, granting interviews, retweeting and mentioning me on Facebook and Twitter, as well as buying and reviewing my books. I’ve only been published for four months and already I feel like a valued member of the community.

Why do you think people are resistant to adding value? And how have you overcome that fear or resistance in your interactions with the community?

Honestly, I have not encountered anyone who I would say is resistant to the idea. I’m afraid this isn’t a point I can speak on.

How do you feel writers can add value to the writing community and to the greater community of readers as a whole?

As mentioned above, by promoting other writers. I also think it is important for independent writers to help each other with beta reads, critiques, etc., to provide a quality experience for readers. If we help each other produce books worth reading, it will help us all in the long run.

Do you think that there’s an ethos or method to adding value that can be cultivated, developed or learned?

I think that the best way to “teach” the importance of adding value to new writers just entering the community is to show them that there is a large group of us who do this sort of thing on a regular basis and that we find it to be mutually beneficial. It is also important for new writers to realize that if Reader A downloads my book it does not mean the reader will not download his/hers. This is not a zero-sum game and by making connections–making friends–with other writers, they will increase their platform significantly, as those other writers will want to see them succeed. Besides, most writers are avid readers as well. By connecting with them you are connecting with potential fans of your work!

Amazing Artwork by: Kirbi Fagan

What first lead you to this way of thinking? Was there anyone or any event in your life that inspired you and your opinions on adding value?

Not really. I’ve always tried to support my friends in whatever they do.

On the flip side of adding value is receiving value; people don’t always find that easy. Do you have any experiences or thoughts on receiving guidance?

Yes. Reciprocate. Thank the person who has helped to promote you and try to promote them in turn. It’s a two-way street.

What’s the greatest insight you’ve gotten from your work? Whether it be insight into yourself, into others, into the craft of writing, etc.

I’ve discovered that I am a good writer. Before I published, before anyone read my work, I was incredibly nervous about the response I would receive. The wonderful reviews that I’ve been given have really helped to build my confidence and I think that, in and of itself, has made me a better writer.

Do you see a vision or ideal behind your work, something that ties it all together in terms of what draws you to it?

Ultimately, I want to produce work that has meaning. I recently wrote a blog post about this called “A Writer’s Responsibility.” Basically, I believe that writers should at least consider what their work adds to society as a whole.

There are many ways to add value. What would you recommend to others as a good starting point to begin adding value to their communities?

Get involved. Get to know other writers, promote their work, read their work and make those connections. And, as mentioned above, always reciprocate. I wrote another relevant blog post entitled “5 Ways to Help Authors without Spending a Dime.”

Do you believe everyone can benefit, if everyone is adding more into the community than they take out? What do you imagine that community to be like?

I think that the group of writers I currently engage with on a regular basis is a great example of what such a community can be like. We are all busy promoting our own work (not to mention dealing with “real” life), but we make sure that we are doing something to help the others in the community as well. I would particularly like to thank Benjamin X. Wretlind and his #BuyIndieMonth (now #BuyIndie) project on Twitter. He’s doing such great things to help out the indie writing community that my gratitude toward him cannot be adequately expressed.

Is there anything else that you would like to add – any final thoughts?

I’d just like to thank you for this interview. I am grateful that you and others are working to add value to the writing community. I also think it’s important to remember that this is not just about selling books. It’s about making friends and enjoying their camaraderie as well. No one writes in a vacuum and as difficult as being an indie writer can be at times, no one has to go it alone.

Thank you for adding value today.

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Do you feel you write in a vacuum? What was your greatest insight? What do you feel you can do? Please share your thoughts below.

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Follow @MichaelKRose
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It’s a two-way street: Interview with Michael K Rose originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on April 17, 2012.

Melissa Foster is the award-winning author of three International bestselling novels, Megan’s Way, Chasing Amanda, and Come Back to Me. She has also been published in Indie Chicks, an anthology. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, and the World Literary Cafe, a literary community, as well as IndieKindle and Fostering Success, both geared toward helping authors. Melissa is currently collaborating in the film production of Megan’s Way. (Full Bio)

What benefits do you see in adding value to the community? In your eyes, why is it important to add value?

Being a member of a community means more to me than showing up. It means supporting and being supported, and there always should be more give than take. The more we do for others, the more fulfilled we become. I feel that adding value to a community can be as simple as lending an ear when it’s needed, or as complex as helping friends develop marketing plans and/or redefine structure in their novels. What you give is less important than the fact that you do give.

Do you think you are alone in feeling that way, or are there others in the community that you believe share your ideals?

Alone? No, never. I surround myself with like-minded people, and I share my values with others. Not all are open to paying-it-forward, but I think most people I come in contact with are. The World Literary Café is built around that premise, and we find that those who live with that in mind tend to remain active members of the community.

Why do you think people are resistant to adding value? And how have you overcome that fear or resistance in your interactions with the community?

I’m not sure people are resistant to adding value. Some people are fearful of others gaining more than they do, or perhaps it’s simple attitudes of competition. In my community, the literary community, writing is not a competitive sport; there’s room for all to succeed. Outreach is multitudes wider with community. Therefore, the attitude of “me” rather than “we” rarely works.

Amazing Artwork by: Kirbi Fagan

As writers, we have the ability to help literacy grow. We can promote reading and writing. I hold Aspiring Authors programs for children, which I think adds tremendous value to the community as a whole. Creative endeavors are good for children’s self-confidence, and hone skills that will be beneficial to them as they grow up.

Do you think that there’s an ethos or method to adding value that can be cultivated, developed or learned?

Yes, give more than you receive, in every situation, in every facet of your life. It’s that easy.

What first lead you to this way of thinking? Has anyone or any event in your life inspired you and your opinions on adding value? Could you share with us a story about that person or event?

I grew up watching a mother who did for everyone else 24/7. She instilled the notion of never judging others, accepting everyone, and reaching out in any way possible. To this day, I strive to be the woman she is, and I know I will never reach the pinnacle of who she is, but being completely selfless is a tremendous goal.

On the flip side of adding value is receiving value; people don’t always find that easy. Do you have any experience or thoughts about what it means to receive well?

I’m horrible at receiving. I tend to tuck away kudos in my pocket and point out others who are more worthy. To receive is glorious. It gives validation, but to receive that validation and understand that it’s not what matters is even more glorious.

What’s the greatest insight you’ve received from your work?

That would depend on which “work” you are talking about. From running The Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women that I founded, I’d have to say that perspective is everything. From the World Literary Café the insight that I’ve gained is that people need people. We need a path, and we need to know there are gentle hands to guide us. From my family I’ve learned that none of anything else in life matters beyond health. Happiness comes from within, not from material things or what we’ve achieved—how we treat others, in the long run, is just about all that matters. The rest will follow. Karma is a great equalizer.

Do you see a vision or ideal behind your work, something that ties it all together in terms of what draws you to it?

Yes, I am a positivity preacher, and for me, helping people see the positive side of life (any life) means being able to pull out the good in any situation, even the difficult ones. What I do, across the board, with TWN, WLC, or in my personal relationships, is pluck out those positive petals and share them.

There are many ways to add value. What would you recommend to others as a good starting point to begin adding value to their communities?

Remove your ego from every decision you make.

Do you believe everyone can benefit, if everyone is adding more into the community than they take out? What do you imagine that community to be like?

I think paying-it-forward is contagious, and yes, everyone can benefit.

Is there anything else that you would like to add – any final thoughts?

I was worried about what types of questions I would encounter with a general statement of “adding value to the community” and what I learned about myself through this is that my ideas are pretty consistent in all aspects of my life. I knew that, but somehow, this drove it home. Thank you. This has been very enjoyable and I love anything that promotes introspection. I am so pleased you are promoting this topic.

Thank you for adding value today.

Thanks for reading,  don’t forget to sign up to get the latest posts directly to your inbox.

What do you think would be a positive change in your community? What could you do? Please share your thoughts below.

Follow @DavidNevin88

Follow @Melissa_Foster
Similar Posts:

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Make a difference: Interview with Melissa Foster originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on April 10, 2012.

*Photo Credit Tyler Ball (Creative Commons)

The questions that I kept seeing, in particular in last night’s meeting, was how the process of plotting felt. There were members who felt exhilarated by the task and took to it like a child to muddy puddles, others cringed and writhed, fighting imagined Lilliputians attempting to tame their muses. So why the polar opposites?

There are clear pro’s.

Personally I like the sense of security a plot outline gives me. There is a feeling that if the plot can be well structured then the story will work. There is going to be a progression, a move from a beginning to an end, a journey that the reader can understand. I also feel that the guidelines are useful to ensure that I don’t end up breaking any major promises to the reader, that I would be truer to my story because I had thought through some of the major points previously. I like having a clear goal and enjoy feeling that I have achieved it, or at least gotten as close as possible with the resources or knowledge at hand.

There are con’s.

I understand and share some of the reservations. The primary of these is that the story doesn’t unfold or develop as it might, if it has been trussed and pruned before the real writing is done. When you get to writing there can be the fear of only coloring between the lines of a form chosen through cold calculations. The real discomfort that I had to overcome was whether or not I was I dissecting this story, this living, breathing animal of words to the point that all that remained was a technical schematic in a notebook? Will it never again be a wild thing creating avalanches of inspiration?

In order for me to be able to develop plot outlines for my future works and not get caught in savage muse bashing, I have made myself a list of questions to keep me on the straight and narrow.

4 Questions to Avoid Muse Bashing

1. Is this plotting adding to the story development?
If I am discovering new turns, depths or possibilities then I’m on the right track.

2. Am I gaining any new insights into the character or characters?
If I am getting to know my characters on a deeper level, getting a feel for where they might like to go and what they might do in a situation then I’m progressing.

3. Am I keeping the plan to the minimum required to label my ideas for when I’m writing?
This is very important. My plot is thin, to the point and a guide, not the book. I keep it simple and don’t try to over explain. My scenes are one sentence long and if I can’t do that I don’t have a scene. My other notebook if for random ideas.

And most importantly
4. Am I having fun?
If I’m having fun then I know that I will feel that way when I’m writing the scenes I’m plotting. If not, then I have to stop plotting and take a break.

My plot is not my book, but it is still a living breathing wild thing. I might momentarily understand the nature of it, but I expect and accept that it will grow, evolve and surprise me as I write it, write the book and finally revise it.

How do you avoid bashing your muse?

*Photo Credit Tyler Ball (Creative Commons)

Similar Posts:

• Simplify, Simplify, Simplify.
• Finding Scenes: 2 Challenges
• Omniscient conflict – I don’t believe in fate!

When do plot outlines kill creativity? My checklist. originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on March 29, 2012.

Qatar was by far the most unfamiliar of the two locations. I had been in Doha for a few days back in 2004, but this time I spent eight days but saw little of that capital city. The city came to me on this occasion. I was working at my company’s stand at a prestigious fair and had the privilege to see and talk briefly with the wealthiest subjects of that society, and also those that work daily in their service.

Traveling Salesman *

What struck me most was the kindness and hospitality of a people living in a city with a history dating back to 1825, but with wasn’t made the capital until 1916, an important date for Doha and the Irish.

Wealth in Qatar is a strange sight, particularly with so much of it hidden behind Burkas and     Bishts, but its evidence is clear. I have memories now for my current book and the next of what wealth is, how service can be received and given and most of all, of a society built on economic tiers with little crossover between classes.

Switzerland, Basel on this occasion, was another fair, but essentially for the trade only and not open to the public to the extent that the Doha fair was. We had seven days to work with our clients, garner a few new ones, and launch our new product range.

On both occasions in my trips there were common threads. I was meeting and interacting with clients, present and prospective, from countries and cultures as diverse as Los Angeles and Tokyo, Italy and Germany, England and the Middle East. It was a writer’s dream come through.

Bargaining, negotiating, selling, placating and agreeing all across, sometimes unclear, cultural distances was for me a busy port in a foreign land taking shape under my eyes. How many ways to greet people? How many was to say no? or yes and mean no. Watching and participating in closing deals, resolving problems, listening and trying to understand, explaining, developing ideas and learning on my feet. All this was happening live with no replay, edit or rewrite possible. A place of handshakes over contracts, trust over references and the simple pleasure of closing a deal where everyone feels like they have come out on the winning side. This is material for many a scene to come.

Airports are another of my favorite people watching spots, but interacting over constantly changing terrain and levels of comprehension is where the fire of characters is born. I’m back in Madrid now and getting back to my revisions.

Thank you for reading, your comments as always are more than welcome.

*Photo Credit George Eastman House (Creative Commons)Similar Posts:

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Characters are Born Out of Fire originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on March 19, 2012.

As part of the Madrid Writers’ Club we have set assignments each week. This week it’s to write a scene using internal conflict/change as described in Holly Lisle’s: How to write page turning scenes.

The only stipulation I kept to was to avoid the use of internal monologue to convey the conflict. I choose instead to use description and action. Your comments are welcome.

Photo Credit - Neil Rickards (Creative Commons)*

Internal Conflict:

Peter stood in the struggling queue. The woman in front of him, a sponge-like mass, sucked noisily on her barrel of diet-SevenUp. Her Super-combo-family sized popcorn leapt into her grinding mouth, almost of it’s own volition, her hand a practised blur of efficiency. It had been many a year since a family of any size had been to this cinema, or her hand had lifted more than sweet sticky “never-enoughs”.

Peter shuffled forward. The ticket in his hand, slick with his sweat. He transferred it to his wallet and then to his inside breast pocket. It hated not being ready for the burly usher.

The woman behind bumped him again. He could feel her  breath like a hot fetid rag draped over his shoulder and neck. She was no more than six inches behind him and every time there a hint of a brief space between himself and the pop corn monster, this woman behind would move forward, jabbing the small of his back with her cornered handbag.

He longed to turn around and glare at her, but he knew she would be a wet eye exclamation point. Surprise would quickly turn to righteous anger and he would have to listen to her complain and whine. She might even push him.

He took out his ticket and checked again. Screen 2. He looked up and sure enough the backlight lurid sign still shone “Screen 2”. The monster moved, the corners stabbed and Peter shuffled forward. He put the ticket in his wallet and placed that in his back pocket.

Five minutes later when asked for his ticket, it took him ten uncomfortable seconds and two sharp corners to his kidneys to find it.

Thanks for reading.

*Photo Credit – Neil Rickards (Creative Commons)Similar Posts:

• Writing Club Assignment: Indirect Conflict #1
• Omniscient conflict – I don’t believe in fate!
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Writing Assignment – Internal Conflict originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on February 29, 2012.

Begin it, or forget it.

The HTRYN course is five months long and payments can be made monthly for the duration of the course. I signed up making the first payment and got immediate access to the first weeks lesson. The subsequent lessons are revealed on a week by week basis.

I was blown away. I had been mulling over the idea for a few weeks, as it was going to be a big commitment of my time and there was money involved – two things I take seriously. I downloaded the lessons, registered in the forum and started reading the first lesson.

As I said, I was blown away. It was only while reading the introduction to the lesson that I realized how very, very nervous I was about revising my novel. It’s the second novel I’ve written but this is the first one I’ve decided to take beyond first draft stage. I believe in the story and the theme that runs through it. I was nervous because I would have to print it, read it and go through it word by word, and then fix it. And I knew it needed fixing.

I was nervous because I was afraid it wouldn’t have the story that I wrote or would somehow, with the two months gestation on my hard drive, reveal itself as my worst fear: a 170 page jumble of bad ideas, with no structure and beyond poorly written, but my real fear was that I had no idea where to begin. None at all. I had written before, but revised 170 pages, never! Where does one start?

Enter HTRYN. From the first few words of the course introduction I felt better. I felt understood and I felt like maybe there was hope. If not with this novel, then my next. (I already have my next in mind and in Pinterest) Holly’s introduction was perfectly paced and brought me gently back to my previous fear. Printing the manuscript. I had reached the section where, in no uncertain terms, and in bold writing, Holly demands that I stop reading and print my manuscript. Like a good student, I did just that.

I opened Scrivener, for the first time in over six weeks, and complied my manuscript for printing. I choose Georgia as my font, because I wanted it to look nice, even if the content was going to be rubbish. I stood beside my printer, watching the paper get sucked in and pushed out, face down, until a red light came on. There was a problem.

Half relieved, half terrified, I checked: there was no paper. I reloaded and waited. It started again and then finished. My manuscript was lying face-down on the black plastic tray. It was born. I had given birth to a second first draft.

Trembling I took the manuscript and turning it over, saw my name, my novel title and I prayed just a little that the next page would look as good. It did. Chapter One. God bless you Scrivener and Georgia.

I sat again, manuscript on the table, and continued the introduction. Understanding the techniques being described was not difficult, far from it. The theory behind the process was simple, clear and even though, it would involve some serious hard work, it was doable.

I was elated. I started revising and got about thirty pages in when sleep over came me. During the week I have been dipping back in, revising and carrying on with life. My problems with the text are just that, problems with solutions. My characters have more life now than before, as I quietly admonish them for not playing their part or, for the well-behaved, I give them an extra star for being team players.

I’m only on lesson one but feel able to do this. I can do it and I see my target of publishing before November 1st 2012 as real and attainable.

For anyone interested there is an affiliate link below to the course. I’ll be writing my progress over the next five months, so please sign up for the mailing list to get those posts via email. I’ll also be sharing snippets of my novel over the next few months with my newsletter subscribers.

If you have any similar experiences, I’d love to hear them. Please let me know.

Thanks for reading.

AFFILIATE LINK: (This means I get some money if you buy http://bit.ly/HTRYNDN88)

Don’t worry it will go to a good cause. Printer paper and toner!Similar Posts:

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Signing up for #HTRYN (How To Rewrite Your Novel) originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on February 16, 2012.

Photo Credit* Cristian V. (Creative Commons)

My understanding of the technique is as follows: (obviously, to understand the technique clearly, you should buy the book) Holly Lisle’s How To Write Page-Turning Scenes

Omniscient scenes give a view of an event to which the reader may sometimes be the only witness. The change that occurs is not brought about by a character but by a simple occurrence, the consequences of which are as of yet unknown, but the reader knows that something important has happened.

So after a week of trying, I think I understand the concept. I was stuck on how a chance event would be a hinge point for the plot of a story and felt that it was somehow weak. Then today feeling the pressure of not having completed my goal, I think I understood it. Omniscient conflict isn’t about fate, or coincidence, it’s about something small having far reaching effects. This I can believe in and therefore write. You can be the judge.

Omniscient Conflict Assignment (Madrid Writer’s Club)

#1

The street was darker now. The bustling crush of evening trade had dwindled. The last tour bus pulled out from the station. Passing Joel’s diner, it backfired and sent dust, street debris and exhaust through the open door onto the just swept floor. A broom was thrown to the ground, “God damn!”, and a back door slammed. On the floor lay a crumpled up note, and now beside it lay a half torn gold lettered business card.

After his cigarette Joel finished sweeping. In the dark alley he threw them both into the open skip with the dirt and cracked peanut shells.

#2

The tide was low for this time of year, and the mudflats had sprouted green, sight not seen for over five years in those parts.The small green boat rocked slowly by the pier. The anchor line tugged until the the anchor loosened and the boat began to drift. below the dislodged object started to float. A small red light glowed as it neared the surface.

Thanks for reading, your comments are welcome!

I like the second effort more. Which do you prefer?

Photo Credit* Cristian V. (Creative Commons)Similar Posts:

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• Writing Assignment – Internal Conflict
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Omniscient conflict – I don’t believe in fate! originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on February 10, 2012.

 These are the “poems” in which the first letter of each line spells out something that, one hopes, refers back to the meaning of said poem.

Pari Noskin Taichert on Murderati.com

Here’s a little poem I posted on http://www.murderati.com/blog/2012/1/31/acrostics.html

What little noise enters my ear
And what light knocks gently,
Kindly on my eyes?
In what world will I awake?
Not the one behind these lids –
Gently I prise them open

Under this quilt, I’d like to stay
Parental duties rule the day.

Comments are welcome, thanks for reading.Similar Posts:

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Acrostics – Murderati Posting originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on February 3, 2012.

As part of the Madrid Writers’ Club we have set assignments each week. This week it’s to write a scene using indirect conflict/change as described in Holly Lisle’s: How to write page turning scenes. My understanding of the task is to describe a location with focus on one sensory detail, sound, smell, taste, touch or sight. We then bring about one change based on a previously unknown event by introducing a symptom of the change as it is experienced in the scene.

Here’s my second effort:

Indirect Conflict or Change: Assignment 1 MWC

The tired glow of early morning light stretched across the kitchen tiles. Imperfect grouting held the dark residue that no amount of frustrated mopping could ever remove. Over 23 years ago those tiles had been new and the little blue ships had born no resemblance to regretted tattoos. Fissures spidered their way to the door jam, marking the impacts of an only child’s toys and a habit of angrily flung Budweiser bottles. The tiles were not godlier there, where she twisted the long beige cord as she listened to the gynecologists report, nor thinner here, where much later a slippered anxious mother had awaited bad news. There were no voices now, only the loud churning of the demolishing claw as it cleared the table in the living room.

I will add to this post over time until I feel I can get the technique to a point where I’m happier with it. It’s described as something to use as spice in a book; not more than three or four times in a book, so it must be strong!

Your comments are welcome, thank you for reading.Similar Posts:

• Finding Scenes: 2 Challenges
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• Omniscient conflict – I don’t believe in fate!

Writing Club Assignment: Indirect Conflict #1 originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on February 1, 2012.

Photo Credit DonJd2*

I’m nervous, because tomorrow will be the first real test of the proposed schedule of activities and also the first time we write together and read our writing out loud to each other. Many writers have passed through this moment I am sure, and thanks to a lot of preparation and studying I feel that the free writing activity is a good way to get us in the mood.

Tomorrow too, we start with writing scenes workshop. Starting from the most basic, location only, and working up to complex, multiple character scenes, over the period of the next few weeks. I’m excited about learning something tomorrow and I want it to be a success. I’m basing these first workshop/exercises on Holly Lisle‘s excellent series of ‘How to write -’ books.

The meeting will start with a free writing sprint for ten minutes and followed by reading out our efforts to each other. The idea is to foster a feeling of trust and honesty in the group from the beginning. When I read about the technique, I thought it was a great idea, now the nerves come into play. Me reading out my own unedited writing to complete strangers in a public place? What was I thinking?

Behind the nerves, there is a quiet determination to give the club my all. I feel strongly that laying this foundation will be the making of me as a writer and I honestly hope it will assist others too in achieving their dreams of writing, and being proud of what they have written. Isn’t that what defines us as writers?

The free writing exercise is taken from ‘Writing Alone, Writing Together’ by Judy Reeves and will focus everyone on what they consider their own personal idea of success. This book is excellent and has been my lifeline in setting up the club. The prompt will be:

When I am a successful writer I..

So wish me luck, and please let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading!

*Photo Credit DonJD2 (creative Commons)Similar Posts:

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When I am a successful writer I… originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on January 26, 2012.

Running from my hotel to the office, to the stand in the fair, rescheduling meetings, fixing dates for company dinners and coordinating with the head office, it dawned on my that this week would be another where my writing might suffer if I couldn’t find a solution and fast. 

Photo Credit Alan M Hughes (Creative Commons)

This year it looks like I will be traveling extensively; hotels and meetings, long hours and little time to sit and ponder the quiet difference between words and meanings. I am faced with the fear of not reaching my primary goal this year, publishing my first novel by November 1st 2012.

Questions rise up like gases after eating suspect fish. Can I survive for the year on my savings or can I reorganize sufficiently to make my professional life less restrictive and have space to breathe and create? I must. My options of financial independence only allow for housing of the parental ilk, and forgoing my adopted city and Spanish life to live at low cost to write , but I know the juices will still and curdle there, my blood needs sun.

Taking a step back from my panic, I breathe deeply and realize I haven’t being doing that a lot this week, breathing deeply that is. The fog clears a little and I notice some of the other thoughts taking shape. The shadows shifts and in the new light I see where my writers mind has been: watching, remembering, telling stories.

I see now that I have been immersed in characters; international buyers, retailers, big bosses, subordinates and family business men and women. I have been surrounded by tales of earlier fairs, old clients of memorable antics and strange habits. I have in fact been swimming in ideas and traits for bigger than life characters to populate and interact on my paper stages.

It has been a good week for my inspiration, my little book of ideas and my characters. Tonight and tomorrow, I will transpose from my memories and add the details to my note book of characters. I have gathered fuel for the flare to make my personalities walk and breathe with realism. I am still on track.

Thank you for reading!

Your comments and feedback are as always welcome.

*Photo Credit Alan M Hughes (Creative Commons)Similar Posts:

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Traveling and Writing: Not Always Compatible originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on January 19, 2012.

Distractions of an Aspiring Author

Writing is a lonely art, as I am sure many of my readers have experienced, it can be a thankless task, with only your own internal critic to share your efforts with. I enjoy my late night inspiration-fueled writing and the studying of the craft, but I found I was limited in a number of ways.

Firstly, I had no feedback loop for my new writing, no basis to be objective in my rewrites and no voice over my shoulder saying keep at it.  Secondly, I was alone in my research and evaluation of my chosen techniques. I had no sounding board for my ideas and found my motivation to keep going, beginning to fade. I was in a bind. 

So I did what I am sure many of you have done, I went looking for a writing community. My first steps were online, and while there is an invaluable community in existence there, I still felt isolated. It felt distant and was moving at a pace that is difficult for a novice like me to follow. I spent my time investigating how to use a google reader, twitter, WordPress, goodreads and all the varied widgets, plugins and mastery of the settings of this myriad of tools.

From there I moved to looking for some real face-to-face interaction. I looked for a writing community here in my adopted city that would meet my needs. I wanted somewhere to share my learning, improve my craft, get and give feedback and connect with people with the same insane desire to put words on paper.

I am pleased to share that the Madrid Writers’ Club held its first meeting last night and it was a great night. I’ve blogged about it on the Madrid Writers’ Club website and to be honest it felt great to be sitting in a room with people who were as interested in communicating, sharing and most importantly creating a vibrant offline community to support our writing goals.

I look forward to contributing more, learning faster and being a valuable part of both the offline and online writing communities.

Thanks for reading!

David

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Distractions of an Aspiring Author originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on January 13, 2012.

Photo Credit Honou (Creative Commons)

The method outlined in my previous post Simplify, Simplify, Simplify is bearing fruit. For the first 30 pages I have been moving through the first of my three chosen books attempting to identify and summarize in a single sentence each scene. I have come across two interesting challenges.

Identify a scene

Referring to Holly Lisle’s book Create a Plot Clinic I had to revise my own interpretation of what a scene is. I was looking only for change, a crucial ingredient in a scene, the defining characteristic according to Lisle, but had forgotten another crucial part also from the same Holly Lisle book: conflict. 

So here I am on page 30 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, and through writing one sentence summaries of each scene I identify, I am learning to look for a change that moves the story along. Now for the remainder of the book I will also be looking to identify the conflict in each scene. I feel this will enrich my ability to identify and later write compelling scenes.

Summarize the scene in one sentence

The second challenge I am facing is to summarize the identified scene in a single sentence. This is giving me an opportunity to write single clear, well punctuated sentences, describing in some cases, three of four paragraphs of prose. This is in itself good practice for my future writing and a well needed revision of my understanding of punctuation.

It is a somewhat painstaking process but as I am discovering, a worthwhile effort. I recommend you try it with a book you enjoy and one that you want to better understand.

As always your comments, ideas, hints or advice are welcome.

Thank you for reading!

*Photo credit Honou (Creative Commons)Similar Posts:

• Simplify, Simplify, Simplify.
• Writing Club Assignment: Indirect Conflict #1
• Omniscient conflict – I don’t believe in fate!

Finding Scenes: 2 Challenges originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on January 6, 2012.

My self assigned task is to understand the concept and execution of scenes in a novel. I am using techniques from Holly Lisle’s book Holly Lisle’s Create A Plot Clinic added to advice from Lawrence Block’s Writing the Novel: From Plot to Print. Both are excellent resources and I recommend them highly.

My action plan therefore is as follows:

I will this week build a line-for-scene outline on white index plot-cards for three novels I have read and that I feel are strong plot driven, exciting and comprehendible novels. I have chosen them based on my own preferences and my own personal reaction to both the genre and the structure used.

Once I have completed that task —through which I hope to learn to identify, summarize and distill the essence of scenes— I will examine closely the plot development through the three novels. I intend to examine each novel individually and afterwards to compare the three methods used, drawing from this exercise an understanding and a preference for plotting a gripping, well written story.

I will then turn to my own first draft, clear headed and objective, and carry out the same procedure, writing out a line-for-scene outline for the entire novel. I will have a greater understanding of the key points to track, such as location, POV and perhaps other classifications which I will better understand from my work with the three novels.

Then I will begin the process of the re-write, following closely Holly Lisle’s advice and adding any techniques I study and learn in the meantime. The points outlines below are in a document I have labeled as: Plan of Attack! and come almost directly for Holly Lisle’s book, again I recommend you buy it, it has been an invaluable tool.

Step 1: Create line-for-scene plot-cards

A) Start by Building a line-for-scene outline on white index plot-cards for the first scene.

B) Now you have to fix the line-for-scene.

First define the problem.

• Is the character doing something interesting?
• Is the action moving the story forward?
• Does the change matter?

Then decide on a course of action to fix the scene at one of the three possible places:

• at the character
• at the action
• at the change

C) Then write line-for-scene for all the existing scenes.

Write for the book you want not the book that exists.

If you find a scene that has no place in the book, throw it out, if you find a scene that needs work then rewrite the line-for-scene card and not the scene.

1. Create fresh plot cards for the rest of the book.

I will report back once I have worked my way through my plan. Comments, advice and critique are, as always, a welcome addition to my efforts.

Thank you for reading,

DavidSimilar Posts:

• Finding Scenes: 2 Challenges
• Omniscient conflict – I don’t believe in fate!
• When do plot outlines kill creativity? My checklist.

Simplify, Simplify, Simplify. originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on January 3, 2012.

Winter in Tipperary, Ireland

Hello Readers,

it’s the week before Christmas and there are many fully grown gorilla sized mice, not only moving, but causing a lot of noise. I’m going to take a break from my blogging until January.

Wishing everyone a very peaceful holiday season,

David

Please feel free to join the mailing list to receive notifications and updates on my writing adventure.

 Similar Posts:

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Christmas Holidays originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on December 20, 2011.

Photo credit Admerial Crunch

My background is in sales and technology more than writing and creation. I feel comfortable around technology and have found it fun and inspiring to set up this blog with the best tools available to me in very short time; however, reading ebooks is new to me. I’m more of a traditional reader; paper that is. I used to read magazines too, but now I use RSS feed readers and many other online applications. Why? Quite simply they offer me a better experience than I had before.

How can the ebook in its current format be used to benefit the authors, in particular those that are self publishing? Here are my suggestions. I think they are logical and am open to hearing your views. I wanted to share these ideas because firstly, I think it is not being done enough and secondly, I think it could vastly increase sales for indie writers.

Inspired by an excellent article entitled Uncommon Thoughts on Creative Commons by Amberr Meadows, retweeted by Michael Rivers, I want to make this idea public, and hope that the early adopters, benefit and lead to further development of the idea. My own book won’t be ready to trial this idea for another eleven months.

Note: For the sake of this article I am focusing only on Amazon Kindle ebooks but the theory is the same.

Here we go.

1. Push out your first chapter to your newsletter subscribers. FREE. Make it free also on Kindle as a separate book.

If your first chapter is good enough and the reader reads to the end, they see a final page something like this.

End of Chapter One

Right? Wrong! What they should see is a page like this:

End of Chapter One

—–

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of [BOOK TITLE] by [AUTHOR NAME].

In the rest of the book you can read how Gideons friendship is tested, and possibly lost for ever. You will see through the mask of the hidden enemy, and it’s not who you think it is? The final curtain will fall over Astu Kingdom and there will be some casualties.

This can recap for the reader the key points and bring back to the boil their intention to follow the story to its conclusion and there’s lots more that can be written, these plot ideas are just off the top of my head, I’m sure you can do better. And we don’t stop there. The text continues to get your reader to rate the chapter on Amazon, as below.

If you liked the first chapter please visit this link and give it one star. bit.ly/dfagfaf (Amazon.com link)

If you realy liked it please visit this link and give it five stars. bit.ly/dfadfadsf  (Amazon.com Link)

If you liked it but feel it could maybe have been better please visit this link and rank it out of five at

bit.ly/agfajfga(Amazon.com Link)

The reason I give three separate links that all go to the same page (Amazon.com page for the free chapter) is so that I can have a count of the links used through my bit.ly account and compare them to the reviews I get. I am pretty sure, people change their mind when they see other peoples ratings. Sometimes less harsh and sometimes a little harsher. This method can be refined by trial and error. My key focus here is getting ratings on the free chapter. With so much low quality in the store, genuine ratings are the only determining factor for a newbie indie to stand out. The chapter should do the rest. But we don’t stop there.

If you really liked the chapter and would like to find out if Gideon will survive the journey (or some previously unknown plot surprise), please follow this link bit.ly to purchase the full ebook available at amazon.com. (Amazon.com Link to buy the book)

Thank you for reading!

—end of ebook—

twitter: @DavidNevin88 email: me@davidnevin.net  blog: davidnevin.net

So that’s my idea? No, I promised you two. Here’s the other half.

The other half goes into the last chapter of the actual complete book. This should also end with similar tactics. Push the reader to rate your book. Push them to get the first chapter of another book you recommend, yours or someone else’s. Guide them to your mailing list to be the first to receive news and the free chapter of the book you are now writing. Maybe tell them you won’t write to them until the book is ready and the chapter is about to be published. Give them a date, so that they know you aren’t going to spam them every day for the next year, until you have a new book out. The options are limitless.

Key point: Engage the reader as you do in your book, when they are still there and reading, this is when they are open to your magic. Help them. Help yourself. The ebook opens up so many incredible options to the author. I believe we, as readers and authors, can expect full rich dynamic media in our near future in many ebooks, maybe an updated author interview on his reactions to the success of the book or a review of the next book in video format at the end of the ebook. I believe the trend to distinguish will move us there quickly and I welcome it.

This method is intended to get readers to rate your book. That in my mind is the biggest barrier I have to buying unknown indie writers. I want to feel like I am spending my money on something worthwhile. Don’t we all? If the book doesn’t get you the ratings you want, rewrite it or remove it or both. Heat, kitchen etc.

Thank you for reading!

As always you comments, tweets and follows are greatly appreciated.

*Photo credit Admerial Crunch (Creative Commons)Similar Posts:

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2 Ideas: Making ebooks work for the Indie Author originally appeared on DavidNevin.net on December 16, 2011.