Blog is Moving to WordPress

2013-12-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Hi everyone,

As promised, I’m moving the blog over to WordPress:

http://elizabethspanncraig.com/blog/ . I’m hoping for improved commenting capability there, as well as other improved blogging functionality.

Thanks so much for following this blog—hope you’ll update your bookmarks for the new site, if you’re not automatically directed. Thanks! (And thanks to Eldon Sarte with Blogheal for his assistance with the move.)

Keeping a Professional Distance From our Book

2013-11-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

By Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about gaining distance from our books. I really feel that’s vital to both editing them effectively, gaining a critical perspective of them, and learning from negative feedback.

One way to gain distance from our books is to write another book. The authors I know who wrote one book (and were traditionally published), fell into this “only child syndrome” with their book…they helicopter-parented it and were genuinely hurt over poor reviews. Hurt to the point where they were immobilized and couldn’t move forward with writing again.

Another way to cultivate this distance is to adopt the most businesslike attitude we can about our books. Because, if we’re sticking with publishing as a career…it is a business. I think that’s where writers got off-track so many times in the past. We didn’t understand our contracts, we didn’t understand the nature of the industry, we didn’t understand our responsibility to our book…which is to promote ourselves as a brand and work on the next story.

As a business, there’s a research and development angle. Knowing what resonates with our readers and what they dislike about our books helps us to improve the stories and secure our readers’ loyalty to a series. I’ve gotten positive and negative feedback on all my books and keep track of it on very basic spreadsheets. I think studying the reviews/feedback this way helps us maintain distance from the work…otherwise, reading our reviews can be extraordinarily painful. But getting something positive out of a negative review can help make my next book better.

I get emails and Facebook messages from readers. I read each book’s highlights on the book’s product page (the text that readers highlight or comment on with their Kindle device). I sometimes venture onto Goodreads—although you really do have to be strong there because reviews can be particularly vicious on that site.

What readers like helps me, too. They frequently have suggestions about plot developments they’d like to see happen in future books. I’d be crazy not to listen to these, but it does reach a point where I realize only I know what’s best for my stories. I’m not writing my own fan fiction, here. But I can see trends, if many readers are interested in certain plot points. Relationship arcs, story arcs…whatever piques reader interest the most. And it frequently does influence my writing. There definitely seems a shift to me in publishing toward a sort of crowdsourcing of ideas in writing. Sites like Wattpad, where authors release stories chapter by chapter and readers give feedback are influencing this trend, too.

If you go this route, I’d collect this information over a period of time and probably not on days where we’ve just had a rotten writing day or are feeling insecure about our ability. One thing does help—keeping a Word doc with copy/pasted positive feedback or reviews or emails. This can really help, especially if you’re dealing with a crop of bad reviews (sometimes they go in cycles).

How do you keep a professional distance from your book?

And…Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends. I’m going to take the remainder of the week off from blogging to celebrate the holiday—and be Doctor Mom to my teenager who is getting his wisdom teeth out. :) I’ll be back again on Sunday with Twitterific.

Twitterific

2013-11-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

By Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 23,000 free articles on writing related topics. It's the search engine for writers.

Friend and fellow mystery writer Margot Kinberg has compiled a crime fiction anthology: In a Word--Murder. The ebook retails for $2.99 and proceeds from its sales benefit Princess Alice Hospice, in memory of Maxine Clarke, a supporter of and good friend to the crime writing community. One of my stories is in the collection, too...my first attempt at short fiction. :)

I'm also included in a newly-launched resource for self-publishing authors:

Wordpreneur Peeps: 107 Successful Indie Publishers. Eldon Sarte from the Wordpreneur blog has collected advice from 107 self-published authors and compiled them in this attractively-priced November release (currently at $.99). His blog is also a helpful resource for independent authors.

Have a great week!

7 Tips to Help you Write More: http://dld.bz/cUmdu @RinelleGrey

3 Steps to Get Past Creative Speed Bumps: http://dld.bz/cUmdx @emilywenstrom

4 Ways For Authors To Reach The Right Audience For Their Book: http://dld.bz/cTqVD @ebooksandkids

Crime fiction--finding ties between seemingly unrelated cases: http://dld.bz/cUuWG @mkinberg

Marketing Your Independently-Published Novel: http://dld.bz/cUvds @juliemusil

Self-Publishing and Pricing: Rewarding Loyal Readers vs. Luring New Ones: http://dld.bz/cUvrt @CamilleLaGuire

Challenging Assumptions: Pricing Frontlist Like Backlist and Backlist Like Frontlist: http://dld.bz/cUwYx

The Tension Between Startups and Trad. Publishers: http://dld.bz/cUzBc @Porter_Anderson @arthurattwell @MikeShatzkin

Examining PI/Police relations in crime fiction: http://dld.bz/cU4CF @mkinberg

Keeping a Cozy Series Moving: http://dld.bz/cU4TT @ElaineOrr55 @authorterryo

Characterization 101: Anti-Heroes: http://dld.bz/cU84c @DefyingBlog @JulieMusil

“The Trap (for Many) of Self-Publishing”: http://dld.bz/cU9et @DonMaass @Porter_Anderson

Handling Continuity Markers Across Chapter Transitions: http://dld.bz/cUmep @JulietteWade

How to Use Mind Mapping in Writing Memoir: http://dld.bz/cUmeG @Sherrey_Meyer

How to Create a Promotion Plan That Helps Your Book Succeed: http://dld.bz/cUmeJ @ninaamir

Writing and the Balancing Act: http://dld.bz/cUmeP

Freelancers--writing for free in a strategic way: http://dld.bz/cUmeU

Writing A Scene That Works: http://dld.bz/cSM7R @woodwardkaren

Becoming a Freelance Editor: Corrections and Egos: http://dld.bz/cUvuS @indie_jane

Creating a Protagonist Readers Will Love: http://dld.bz/cUvvf @kristenlambtx

5 Reasons Authors Need to Use Social Media for Book Marketing: http://dld.bz/cUvvy @janvbear

Timeline: A Brief History of Publishing: http://dld.bz/cUvv5 @galleycat

The New, Old Way to Tell Stories: With Input From the Audience: http://dld.bz/cUvvD @lovelifelitgod @TheAtlantic

How To Write A Murder Mystery: http://dld.bz/cUvvN @susanspann @woodwardkaren

Write your character's passion: http://dld.bz/cUvvT @lindasclare

Planning a book--Scene-Level Planning: http://dld.bz/cUvvX @stdennard

How to Be Creative: It's All in the Process (video): http://dld.bz/cUvwd @99u @pbs

The 10 most dramatic deaths in fiction: http://dld.bz/cUxTG @TelegraphBooks

The figure of the chaotic champion--order and chaos: http://dld.bz/cUxTK @fantasy_faction

Horror in literature needn't be about monsters: http://dld.bz/cUxTV @louise_wise

Why You Should Think Differently When Formatting Your Next Ebook: http://dld.bz/cUxTY @thewritelife

10 Tips for Writing Good Prose: http://dld.bz/cUxUk @Writers_Write

When is it Good to Self Publish? http://dld.bz/cUxUu @JordynRedwood

Screenwriting Advice, in Six Seconds or Less: http://dld.bz/cUxU4

To "Self"-Publish, You Need a Team: http://dld.bz/cUxUK @Bob_Mayer

Neil Gaiman: "I don't think there is such a thing as a bad book for children http://dld.bz/cUzdj @lucycoats

Screenwriters: Why Having Multiple Projects Is Killing You and Your Career: http://dld.bz/cUzez @indiewire

15 Tips From The Writers Of "Adventure Time": http://dld.bz/cUzeJ @andnowtothemoon @BuzzFeedGeeky

Question it All: Things to Ask in Any Scene: http://dld.bz/cUzeV @janice_hardy

A common mistake for writers when trying to focus on a task: http://dld.bz/cUzfh @lifehackorg

Why Listening Must Come Before Writing: http://dld.bz/cUzfp @KeithFerrin @jeffgoins

Mixing Real People And Imaginary Characters In Historical Novels: http://dld.bz/cUzft @mwhiteauthor

Finding your writer's voice: http://dld.bz/cU23Z @Shirl_Corder

Remember You're Writing A Selling Script: http://dld.bz/cU24d @raindance

What does branding mean to an author? http://dld.bz/cU24p @ventgalleries @

How Much Can Indie Authors Realistically Make? http://dld.bz/cU24t @BadRedheadMedia

How to Pre-Plot a Series: http://dld.bz/cSWvM @plotwhisperer

How To Make Your Own Free Book Cover In MS Word: http://dld.bz/cU24H @thecreativepenn

How To Fix A Plot That Feels Lightweight Or Predictable: http://dld.bz/cU24U @raindance

Emotional Elements of Plot: http://dld.bz/cU25a @scriptmag

How To Write A Murder Mystery: http://dld.bz/cU3rF @woodwardkaren

Why writers should use Google +...and how to use it effectively: http://dld.bz/cU3rK @annerallen @seowebdesignric

Interviewing Characters to Get to Know Them: http://dld.bz/cU4Mq

Using Online Writing Workshops to Skyrocket Your Creativity: http://dld.bz/cU4My @livewritethrive @LesAnglesey

Crossing the (Invisible) Line Between Poetry and Prose Poetry: http://dld.bz/cU4MH

Freelancers: Why Your Query Letter Gets No Response: The Painful Truth: http://dld.bz/cU4MR @ticewrites

Why agents say no to your project: http://dld.bz/cU4Nd @JanetKGrant

How to Write a Good Book in 30 Days: http://dld.bz/cU4Nm @ninaamir

5 Ways to Make Your Novel Inescapable: http://dld.bz/cU4Nv @victoriamixon

4 Key Book Publishing Paths: http://dld.bz/cU564 @janefriedman

Answers to writers' questions on Point of View: http://dld.bz/cU56E @janice_hardy

An agent on re-querying after rejection: http://dld.bz/cU56N @Janet_Reid

Writing is Design: Eliminate 'That' Fat From Your Writing: http://dld.bz/cU56Y

What Charlotte Brontë Taught 1 Writer: http://dld.bz/cU57z @BenisonAnne

7 Reasons You Should Write A Sports Movie: http://dld.bz/cU57B @Bang2write

Dear Young Writer: http://dld.bz/cU57Z @susankayequinn

Business of Screenwriting: I Don't Believe in Fate: http://dld.bz/cU58m @scriptmag

4 Questions to Ask About Your Cozy Mystery Character's Job: http://dld.bz/cU58s @ChrystleFiedler

10 tips for better headlines: http://dld.bz/cU58G

Helpful books on revising: http://dld.bz/cU58W @Fictiffous

When to kill a character: http://dld.bz/cU58Z @lindasclare

Creating Perfect Solitude for Creative Focus: http://dld.bz/cUCnB @99u

Saying goodbye to promo postcards: http://dld.bz/cUCrE @nicolamorgan

Reality doesn't have to make sense, but fiction needs to: http://dld.bz/cUCrS @janelebak

An essential question to keep asking your character: http://dld.bz/cUCsb @LaurelGarver

Dos and Don'ts For Selling Your Book Online: http://dld.bz/cUCsv @ZiggyKinsella

Not Ready for Publication? Not Even Ready for Editing: http://dld.bz/cUCs3 @Porter_Anderson @tanyaegangibson

8 Habits of Highly Successful YA Authors: http://dld.bz/cUCtK @theatlantic @nolanfeeney

7 Ways to Prevent Your Blog from Failing: http://dld.bz/cUCtT @ninaamir

Claiming Your Book to Your Author Central Page: http://dld.bz/cUCup

Avoiding the "Saggy Middle": http://dld.bz/cUCuD

Dos and Don'ts For Selling Your Book Online: http://dld.bz/cUCsv @ZiggyKinsella

To "Self"-Publish, You Need a Team: http://dld.bz/cUxUK @Bob_Mayer

When is it Good to Self Publish? http://dld.bz/cUxUu @JordynRedwood

3 Steps to Get Past Creative Speed Bumps: http://dld.bz/cUmdx @emilywenstrom

The query letter: Your manuscript's most important page: http://dld.bz/cUd7U @darlawrites

Novel Middles: From Sag to Super: http://dld.bz/cUE3q @lindasclare

Academic writing--scholarship in the fantastic: http://dld.bz/cUE5n @amazingstories0

5 Ways To Share Your Book Research With Your Readers: http://dld.bz/cUE9P @thecreativepenn

5 tips for better fiction: http://dld.bz/cUE9U @lindasclare

The Ultimate Story Checklist: Iron Man: http://dld.bz/cUE9W @cockeyedcaravan

Tips for writing locked-room mysteries: http://dld.bz/cUEA5 @MarkCN

Why Your Book Pitch Matters (Even If You're Self-Published): http://dld.bz/cTqVy @JFBookman

Top 10 writing fallacies: http://dld.bz/cUFgk @States50

Use Camera Angles to Supercharge Your Novel: http://dld.bz/cUFgn @livewritethrive

5 Ways To Share Your Book Research With Your Readers: http://dld.bz/cUE9P @thecreativepenn

Passive vs Active Heroes: http://dld.bz/cUFtb @AlexBledsoe

The Ultimate Guide to Evil Cats in SF/F: http://dld.bz/cUFth @io9 @Krellitlikeitis

Ray Bradbury's unknown universe of realist fiction: http://dld.bz/cUFtk @guardianbooks

Thoughts on beginning a novel: http://dld.bz/cUFtq @sharonksouza

The Writing Life: Re-entry and Changing Gears: http://dld.bz/cUFts @DeborahJRoss

Top Five Highs and Lows of Publishing: http://dld.bz/cUFtv @mpax1

Preparing for a Productive Writing Day: http://dld.bz/cUFtz

Developing characters organically: http://dld.bz/cUFt4 @BrianYansky

How To Summon Creative Presence: http://dld.bz/cUFt8 @OrnaRoss

2 Steps to Connecting with your Characters: http://dld.bz/cUFtA @AnthonyEhlers

Mystery Writing is Murder

Blog is Moving to WordPress

Keeping a Professional Distance From our Book

Twitterific