Posted by Melody Clark on June 9, 2010
Need to sell a novel? You need a good right hook. No, striking your reader is not what we are proposing. It may be a healthy way of venting pent up frustration for you, but it isn’t going to do much for your prospective customer.
The “right hook” of which we speak is a kind of psychological “fine-tuning” to the interests of your reader. The usual saying is that non-fiction sells and fiction stays. While that tends to be true, the psychology behind it provides us some clues to what kind of novels WILL sell.
A customer buys a book for $15 called “Post-War East German Furniture.” It would take someone with a very strong interest in that topic to pay the money for that book. That topic is an easy sell to that particular reader. There can’t be a ton of titles on it. It’s very specific. If she wants to read about post-war East German Furniture, chances are she’ll be popping out the plastic.
That’s the secret of the right hook — a very narrow band of information-rich potential. There is a high likelihood of Person A with a poor sharpei about to undergo a poodle cut, buying that book. It’s not about A. Poodle Cuts, B. Lion Cuts and other styles. It’s exactly what he’s seeking. The person who buys “How to Poodle Cut Your Sharpei” has a significant expectation of having their information needs met with this purchase.
How does this apply to fiction-writing? It’s a simple jump from there to narrow-marketing via genre-writing. Multi-partner-romance, American Indian captive bride romances, and gay vampire romances are all real sub-genres, and there are an unending stream of others. Someone wanting to buy vampire boys in love is not likely to pop for “Boy and Girl Fall in Love” sweet romance. But if you’ve just written “Blood Passion” about two cowboy vampires who feed on each other in more ways than one, and your reader is into vampire man-on-man, then you, my writer friend, have just found a buyer.
But if your reader really loves her vampire gay romances (and remember, many readers of gay romance are female), she’ll overlook a lot of clunky prose and crappy plotting just to get her fix.
Consider the sparkly vampire and blushing young thing in the Twilight series. Yeah, we know, Shakespeare it’s not, but it has very deep appeal to a narrowish market of reader. Another example is a much better novel series called the Vampire Diaries. YA fiction has burnished the narrow market to a fine gleam.
Believe it or not, that novel you want to write is easily configurable into a narrow sub-genre. It’s just a matter of holding the idea up to the light and looking at it several different ways. You may need to squint a little, but you’ll find a way to turn Heathcliff and Cathy into vampires … and down that way, is your highly marketable novel.
Want to find out more about writing fiction, then visit Melody Clark’s blog.
Posted by Trevor Johnson on March 4, 2010
Working from home is something that a lot of people strive for. You will also find that it is not really all that hard. You can find plenty of ways to work from home. You can use the internet for most of them. They include doing online marketing, website design, and you can even make money writing fiction. Here is how:
When you start writing there are a few things that you should keep in mind. You can easily do an online writing course or read a lot about how to write fiction so that you get good at it. Writing fiction is not really hard, but it requires imagination, and the basic knowledge of grammar, spelling and technique. Many top writers do have a degree.
Writing fiction is a very creative process, so having a background with a tertiary education is not needed. There are many writers that have not gone for a tertiary education in writing, and you can too. If you find that you have a real knack for writing, then by all means go right ahead and start jotting down a few ideas.
This is where many writers do not get accepted by publishers. The layout and formatting of the document must be correct. You should do a lot of research as far as this is concerned to make sure that you do it properly and that your work is accepted the first time.
You will then need to figure out what you want to write, or which area of writing your want to be in. Would you like to write for children, or would you rather write for adults? It’s not a big decision but it’s still one that you need to make.
Once you know who you are writing for, you need to decide where you want to write – theatre, TV, film, magazines, or books. Also do you want to do into writing full novels or short stories? You do not need to take one of them, as there are many writers who excel in many different areas of writing.
Find out how to write a novel quickly and efficiently with this simple to follow novel in a month system.
Posted by Trevor Johnson on February 28, 2010
You can learn how to write a book easier than you might think. A lot of times, it can seem very hard. It is certainly a formidable task. However, if you are organized, it really can be easy. There are a lot of steps to follow and things to think about, which we will discuss here. By the time you finished, you will be ready to write!
The first thing you have to do is pick out a niche, or genre. Making sure you have the best one for you and your book is vital. You might want to write non fiction, focusing on memoirs, biographies, autobiographies, and so on. However, you might prefer fiction. Therein lies a veritable wonderland of different genres. Choosing one is essential.
After your niche is identified, it is now time for you to write! Now, a lot of people who love to write have absolutely no problems writing whenever and wherever they are, however, if you are the type of person that writes for a hobby, you need to make sure that you set aside time for you to write. At least two hours a day, otherwise your book will never get completed!
After those two steps are completed, you are finally ready to come up with an idea for your story. You want something that is going to be attention-grabbing and something that everyone will want to read, so make sure that it is good. Brainstorming with other authors is a great way to come up with all sorts of topic ideas for a book.
Finally, you want to make sure that you outline your book before you start. This is just going to be getting down the basic idea and concept for your book and it will absolutely help you keep focused on it.
Sure, there are many things to work out when you begin writing. However, a little organization can go a long way. If you keep to the course, you can be published in no time. Editors will be clamoring for your work!
Discover how to write your novel quickly and discover the secrets to writing your novel in a month or less.
Posted by Trevor Johnson on December 9, 2009
How to start writing a book is the question that every new writer is faced with as they think of using their creative ability to write content that people would like to read. It is important to follow certain basic rules when writing a book, as that would make the whole process extremely simple.
The first rule is to make sure you have a sure concept of the subject that the book will be based upon. Then the book would require a catchy title. This will help in a big way to grab the readers’ attention who would otherwise not even give a proper glance to the content of the manuscript.
The second rule talks about the content of the first paragraph as this need to be in a well-structured manner that draws the attention of the reader towards reading the whole book. It acts like a hook that keeps the reader glued on to the contents of the book. The first paragraph needs to be written with a lot of thought and caution to keep the readers interested in reading the remaining portion of the book.
The third important rule is to write paragraphs that help link the book from start to finish. The paragraphs should not be too lengthy as that might make the reader feel bored while reading the book. It is extremely important to keep the content of the paragraphs short and crisp with logical structuring. It is also important to restrict the usage of adverbs to as low as possible while writing the content of the book.
Fourth rule is to write the book after having consultations and exchange of ideas with people who are expert in that subject. It is also important to get ideas about structuring the content by taking professional help from publishing agencies. This would help give the whole idea of writing a book the professional look that would appeal to the readers.
Discover how to write your novel quickly and discover the secrets to write your next novel in a month or less.
Posted by Trevor Johnson on October 29, 2009
You will need several things for a workable fantasy novel. When you begin your story will need a plot. It can be quite hard to find an idea. Once you find the idea and plot for your story you need to add interesting and workable facts. No one will buy a boring novel. Write something that is interesting to you and it will be interesting to someone else. To write fantasy novels takes work, but can be a lot of fun.
To make your story workable it will have to be on the logical side. Your story will have to have rules, limitations, and even structure. You should be prepared to explain how it works, or why the things in the story may happen. If you are going to write about supernatural creatures such as werewolves, and vampires they will need limitations. Magical and fairytale beings in your story will need to be explained as well.
You will need to make an outline before you start writing. All an outline is, is just your idea put down on paper. The main character, location, and the main points in the story will need to be included in your outline. Make sure to write down any and all details for your fantasy world.
The main character will need to be made up next. In thinking up your main character you will need to consider many things. You need to determine the characters gender. It is easier for me to write about a character that is the same sex as me but you may have a story line that calls for the opposite sex. After the gender is chosen you will need to consider the age, background, and occupation of your character.
I find that the leading character is the hardest character in the book to make up because you will need to know the most about this character. Make sure to include the characters physical traits and personality. Height, weight, hair and eye color are just some of the physical traits you will need to describe to your readers. Make sure these things do not read like a list, you need to gradually add the traits into the story line.
Next you need a personality for your character. Decide if your main character will be shy, outgoing, quite, loud, arrogant, sensitive, intelligent, mean, or nice. The personality of your character will determine the way they react to certain things in the story.
For more help to write fantasy novels just click here.
Posted by Trevor Johnson on October 17, 2009
You want to write a story but you are not sure if you can make it. With a little talent and some story writing help and tips you can achieve your goal. You can find story writing help from other writers. Join discussion board about writing a story and read about other people experience.
The first step is to decide what will your story be about. Choose a subject and than do a lot of research. You should be very familiar with the subject you choose for your story. For example imagine your story will be about divorce. Try to read as many testimonials from divorced people. If you have a friend who divorced you should ask him how he felt during those moments.
Get inspired from real life. Your story and personages must remind your readers about people and situations they know. Make it an educative story. The reader should learn something useful from your story.
A good story should have a combination of action, comedy, and love. People should be exited to read what will happen in the end of your story. For a moment they will forget that is just a story.
Choose carefully the hero of your story. This is essential for the success of your story. The reader should recognize himself in the hero’s description. Give him qualities but also plenty defects.
The end of your story is also very important. Make sure it’s not a predictable end. Do your best to surprise your reader. Keep in mind that a happy end is always better than a sad one. This is one of the most important parts from a story.
Story writing help and tips you can find everywhere. Get inspired from you life, from TV or from the books you read. If you are tired or not in a mood to write you will not do a very good job. Try to write only when you feel inspired and relaxed!
Get more story writing help and discover how you can actually create your first novel in a month.
Posted by Trevor Johnson on October 15, 2009
by Trevor Johnson
When you write fantasy novels there are a few things you will need before you get started. The first thing you need is an idea for your story. It is a little harder than it may sound. You need to make sure your idea is workable and interesting. You would not read a boring novel and neither will anyone else so be careful when you write a fantasy novel.
A logical idea will make your story workable. Rules and limitations are needed. You will have to explain how your world may work. If you are writing about supernatural beings then explain what limits they may have. When writing about magical beings the reader will need to know how these things could work.
You will need to make an outline before you start writing. All an outline is, is just your idea put down on paper. The main character, location, and the main points in the story will need to be included in your outline. Make sure to write down any and all details for your fantasy world.
The main character of your story will need to be decided. When deciding on a protagonist (main character) you have to pick a gender. Some people would rather write a character of the same sex they are. That may not always work if your story line calls for the opposite gender. Next is the age, occupation, and background of your protagonist.
It can be hard to make a person from scratch that is why the main character can be the hardest in the book to come up with. Your main character will need physical traits and a personality. When giving your character their physical traits make sure to include height, weight, eye color and hair color. Do not put the traits in all at once because it will sound like a list. Slowly add them to the story.
Next you need a personality for your character. Decide if your main character will be shy, outgoing, quite, loud, arrogant, sensitive, intelligent, mean, or nice. The personality of your character will determine the way they react to certain things in the story.
Posted by Trevor Johnson on September 24, 2009
by Trevor Johnson
How to start writing a book that will grab attention of the readers? New writers face this dilemma when they set out to write the first book using their creative talent. In order to be successful these writers need to follow some simple rules to make the whole writing process very simple.
The first important rule is to have a clear idea about the subject for which you want to write the book. Then it is important to have a catchy title for the book. The title needs to grab the reader’s attention otherwise; they will not even look at the contents of the book.
The second rule talks about the content of the first paragraph as this need to be in a well-structured manner that draws the attention of the reader towards reading the whole book. It acts like a hook that keeps the reader glued on to the contents of the book. The first paragraph needs to be written with a lot of thought and caution to keep the readers interested in reading the remaining portion of the book.
The third important rule is to write paragraphs that help link the book from start to finish. The paragraphs should not be too lengthy as that might make the reader feel bored while reading the book. It is extremely important to keep the content of the paragraphs short and crisp with logical structuring. It is also important to restrict the usage of adverbs to as low as possible while writing the content of the book.
Fourth rule is to write the book after having consultations and exchange of ideas with people who are expert in that subject. It is also important to get ideas about structuring the content by taking professional help from publishing agencies. This would help give the whole idea of writing a book the professional look that would appeal to the readers.
