Japan: A Writer's Perspective

By

Dora Machado

 Mount Fuji at Sunset

We landed in Japan during a fiery sunset that promised beauty, adventure, challenge and reward. We were not disappointed. Traveling has always been a fundamental source of inspiration for my stories and my trip to Japan was no exception. It was an unforgettable experience, a journey that I will always treasure personally and professionally. 

The journey lasted seventeen days and it took us to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Kinosaki and Hakone-en at the foot of Mount Fuji. It's not easy to summarize my experiences in a single post, but here are five ways in which the trip was especially valuable to me as a writer and, of course, lots of pictures.

1. From the moment we set foot in Tokyo, I was struck by how gracious the Japanese people are. The majority of the people I met in Japan were poised, dignified and polite. I enjoyed the sense of propriety that permeated each contact. The contrast between the modern and the traditional was vivid, common and intense. I have a feeling that my character development skills will benefit greatly from my exposure to the Japanese people.

Geishas in Kyoto

Shoppers in Tokyo

Tokyo's modern landscape, including the famous Sky Tree

Osaka's modern landscape

2. Japan was a huge discovery session to my palate, so many new flavors, so many interesting tastes! Tokyo is full of amazing restaurants. I tried many new foods while I traveled throughout Japan. I made an effort to taste regional and national delicacies and had some amazing meals in the process. Yes, sure, I did have to stretch my comfort zone a few times, but on the upside, my writer's taste bank has been duly expanded.

Delicious dumplings in Tokyo

Out of this world Ramen, also in Tokyo

Awesome Yakitori, chicken skewers in Kyoto

Melt-in-your-mouth Kobe Beef

Amazing snow crab from coastal Kinosaki

Crunchy shrimp tempura in Kyoto

The best tuna Sushi in Tokyo

Out of my comfort zone: pregnant squid

Out of my comfort zone again

Takoyaki, octopus balls

Okonomiyaki, savory Japanese pancakes

Sake: Excellent liquid courage

3. My trip to Japan reminded me that beauty is in the details. As I traveled through Japan's most famous and majestic sites, I realized that these places were beautiful not only because of their history, but also as composites of the striking level of detail. I started to think of these amazing temples and stunning gardens as novels, composed of chapters, paragraphs and sentences, enriched by the level of detail that history and art add to masterful craftsmanship.

Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto. 

The exquisite garden of the Shoren-in Buddhist temple in Kyoto

Gorgeous detail on a silk screen at the impressive Nijō Castle (二条城 Nijō-jō^?) in Kyoto. 

Prayer tablets at Meji-jingu, Tokyo's grandest Shinto temple

Carps swimming  in the pond of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, also known as the Kinkaku/Rokuon-ji temple

 The Sanmon, the largest surviving structure in Japan, is the gate to Chion-in Buddhist temple in Kyoto 

The  famous bamboo grove of Arashiyama

The balcony of the Kiyomizu-dera  Buddhist temple, an impressive structure, rising on a hillside on huge timbers and offering gorgeous views of Kyoto 

The Pagoda of the Kiyomizu-dera  temple in Kyoto

The cherry blossoms beginning to bloom at Tokyo's Hamarikyu Gardens

Every path was a work of art at the beautiful gardens of Okochi Sanso in Kyoto

  

The Buddhist Temple of Todai-ji in Nara was one of my favorites

The giant Buddha of Todai-ji in Nara

Kyoto's Golden Pavilion, also known as the Kinkaku/Rokuon-ji temple

Stunning!

4. My contact with the Japanese culture also reminded me that even in a modern world, rituals, small and big, are important parts of the human experience. Rituals have always been an important part of my stories. In Japan, ritual is an active part of many of the daily experiences. The very specific way in which an authentic Japanese breakfast is served in a ryokan (the equivalent of a Japanese inn or a bed and breakfast), the process of taking a bath in one of the many onsens (public bathhouses), and the traditional tea ceremony are just some of the rituals I had the opportunity to experience and appreciate while I was 

there.

First Course of our meticulously served dinner at our Ryokan in Kinosaki

Tea and sweets during a beautiful afternoon in Tokyo's Hamarikyu Gardens

Detail of a Shinto Shrine in Tokyo

The town of Kinosaki has seven public baths or onsens

The sign of  the Ichinoyu Onsen

5. I also learned that efficiency is at the heart of a thriving society. Japan's public transportation system was incredible. From buses, to metros, to local and bullet trains, all of the cities I visited impressed me with easy-to-use, fast, reliable and extremely punctual transportation. Now if only I could write with the same speed and efficiency of a bullet train!

The Shinkansen, Japan's famous bullet trains

Inside view of the The Shinkansen, fast, clean and dependable.

During our last three days in Japan, we traveled to Hakone-en, where we got snowed in at the foot of Mount Fuji by one of Japan's worst blizzards in the last hundred years. With the roads closed and the snow piled high, we had no choice but to stay put in our hotel and reschedule our flight back to the United States. Very few guests populated the hotel, which is really a summer destination, and since we couldn't get out of the front door, there wasn't much to do. The experience of being trapped in the semi-deserted resort may have been inconvenient—not to mention expensive. The experience of writing non-stop with a stunning view of a snow covered Mount Fuji? Priceless. 

Mount Fuji from our balcony.

Want to know more about our trip to Japan? Visit http://marianaonthemove.com/

****

Dora Machado is the award-winning author of the epic fantasy Stonewiser series and her newest novel, The Curse Giver, available from Twilight Times Books. She grew up in the Dominican Republic, where she developed a fascination for writing and a taste for Merengue. After a lifetime of straddling such compelling but different worlds, fantasy is a natural fit to her stories. She lives in Florida with her indulgent husband and three very opinionated cats.

When she is not writing fiction, Dora also writes features for Murder By Four, an award winning blog for people interested in reading and writing, and Savvy Authors, where writers help writers. 

To learn more about Dora Machado and her novels, visit her website at www.doramachado.com or contact her at Dora@doramachado.com.

For a free excerpt of The Curse Giver, visit  http://twilighttimesbooks.comthingsTheCurseGiver_ch1.html.

E-mail:Dora@doramachado.com

Website: www.doramachado.com

Blog: http://www.doramachado.com/blog/

Newsletter: http://doramachado.com/newsletter.php

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoraMachado101

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoraMachado

Audio Book Review for Cassie Scott: Paranormal Detective

Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective by Christine Amsden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I listened to the audio book for this one - it was marvelous! Here are my review blurbs from Audible.com.

Would you listen to Cassie Scot again? Why?

Yes, I would, since I felt sad that it was over last night when I finished listening. Actually, I was almost "mad" when it ended - I wanted more, which is the sign of a brilliant writer and good plotting. Ms. Amsden is a superb writer. It's not easy for many young writers to get past the novice stage of overwriting, or distracted writing, or too much embellishment, repetition, or dropping tension - but this new writer is already on the top of her game, right out of the starting gate. She is a natural storyteller, and she writes with such fluid simplicity that the words seamlessly tell the story in a natural, suspenseful fashion. I'm very impressed with her style.

What other book might you compare Cassie Scot to and why?

I've never read many books in this genre. Well, actually, this is my first. But I'd say that although it's marketed as YA, the appeal is very broad and many adults will become hooked on the series, not unlike the Harry Potter books.

What does Melissa Reizian Frank bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I really loved Melissa's dialog interpretations and her varied voices between men and women. Nicely done!. She sounded natural and enthusiastic, and showed great emotion when appropriate. I felt she was totally engaged in the story, and that was exciting to hear.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes! I kept getting mad at Cassie for her very "young," reactions to her world and relationships (not surprising for her character age) such as family and boyfriends. She assumed a lot, which sent her reeling off in wrong directions (often in her own mind). But the natural misinterpretations on her part were well told and absolutely believable, reminding me of real world people I know who do the same.

I laughed a lot - although this book has some pretty tense and scary scenes (being bitten multiple by a villainous vampire was pretty graphically described, and most frightening!), it also had a nice, light, cheeky sense of humor that I adored.

Any additional comments?

So many questions remain. I've heard there's a series and a sequel coming up soon, called Secrets and Lies.

Can't wait to find out why Cassie's parents disowned her - what was that all about? It had to be to protect her or their other children.

What is it about Evan they are so afraid of? There's something really big here, but we still don't know what it is.

Why is Cassie so intuitive, and is that really her "gift?" She showed that intuition all through the book, although she didn't recognize it in herself.

Why doesn't she react like most girls to men who obvious love her? (I kind of liked that part, having raised 3 teenage daughters who were NOT like that, LOL)

Will she be able to overcome her feelings of inadequacy in order to grow into a more confident woman in the future?

Will she resolve things with her family?

Will she marry Evan and have super special babies with powers?

I also want to know if Christine Amsden came from a large family like that of Cassie Scot. She described it so well. ;o)

Thanks, Ms. Amsden, for a great listen!




View all my reviews

Revision, rewriting, editing, yum

As I go through the final round of revision and rewriting for Loran Rudder and the Secret Key, I have to say, I am TIRED of proofing this book. I guess that is a good thing. When you finally get tired of that task, it probably means it is ready for publication.

So is there a special way to get this final and much needed task done?

I say yes. I think if you will work on tone and flow, cut down on word count, and polish grammar and spelling, you will have the beast bested.

My big deal has been to eliminate unneeded words. This is difficult stuff, folks. I mean, I am a southerner after all. We are KNOWN for our way of speech. Our slow, dragging-it-out like a molasses string way of speech means using a lot of extra words, and also smooshing words together. I mean, can you say "y'all"?

But if my character is a southerner, I don't want to edit ALL that goodness away, only refine it. There is a difference between editing for refinement and editing until you have a bland, zero voice.

Still, it would be a great deal better to make sentences tighter and still keep the meaning than to have a fat, overwritten book. So, that is most of what I have been doing. Taking out unneeded words. I cut 200 words from chapter one. I didn't feel a thing.

Do you have any proven methods for doing this? Some people look for fluffy words like that, just, all, very, and much. Those are usually okay to cut. Many say adverbs can usually go. I say adverbs behind "said" should go. (ex. I said, glumly)

But what about good, old-fashioned wordy sentences?

I found a lot in my book. I found a lot in this post. Like this one:

Still, it would be a great deal better to make sentences tighter and still keep the meaning than to have a fat, overwritten book. In my mind, I rewrote it like this: Instead, I should make sentences tighter and keep the meaning clear. Yes, MUCH better.

Okay, I am now tired of editing this post. Time to publish. Have a fun Thursday, Murderers.

An Interview with Eleanor Kuhns

Author of Historical Mysteries and Winner of the 2011 First Crime Novel Competition from Mystery Writers of America/Minotaur

By

Dora Machado

           

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Eleanor Kuhns, the author of a delightful series of painstakingly researched historical mysteries set during the American post-revolutionary period. 

Eleanor got her big publishing break when she won the 2011 First Crime Novel Competition from Mystery Writers of America/ Minotaur. Her winning entry, A Simple Murder, was published by Minotaur and was quickly followed by Death of A Dyer and the upcoming Cradle to Grave.

Welcome to MB4, Eleanor. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?  Why do you write, when did you start writing and how did you become a published author?

I am a lifelong librarian from a family of librarians.  I cannot remember a time when I did not want to be a writer. I wrote my first story at the age of 7. It was science fiction and every paragraph began with 'suddenly' or, for variety, 'all of a sudden'. Although I published a few short stories, I did not have much success writing science fiction and decided to change to the genre I read for relaxation - mystery. First manuscript out of the box won me the 2011 First Crime Novel competition from Mystery Writers of America/ Minotaur.

You are an author of historical mysteries. Why did you choose to write mysteries and how do you use history to enhance your novels?

Although technology has certainly changed in the last 200 years, especially for solving crimes, I don't think people have. The urges that motivate someone to kill were the same then as now. I like to use the history to shine a light on a period few know much about, as well as show some of the drawbacks of that time. Trying to catch a murderer with a horse and wagon instead of a fast car is just a much different process.  

The protagonist of your series is William Rees, a traveling weaver recovering from his stint as a revolutionary war soldier and the death of his wife. What is it about Rees that makes him such a compelling hero and why did you pick this specific period in history as your setting?

It seems that our US history is taught as a succession of wars with a big gap between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. But everything didn't just stop.  The people active in out War for Independence continued living. So I chose a former soldier. 

I also wanted a traveler so he wouldn't be investigating a succession of murders in one small town and I could bring in interesting history from all around the country. Third, in a time when the responsibilities for the sexes were relatively separate, weaving was one of the few professions practiced by both genders.  A traveling weaver could interact with women as well as men. 

I also based Rees on my father: a flawed man but honest and passionate about justice. And a craftsperson. The modern world really doesn't respect people who work with their hands anymore. So there is a lot I am trying to do with Rees.

How is writing a mystery series different from writing a single mystery novel?

In the first story, I had to include a backstory. Well, that backstory has just increased as Rees has gone on with his life. Now I have a lot to keep track of. It also grows more difficult to keep the character fresh. I guess my subtitle should be "The growth and evolution of Will Rees."

You are now in your third book of the series, Cradle to Grave, coming June 17, 2014. How has your writing evolved? How have your characters evolved?

The third Will Rees, Cradle to Grave, will be published June 17, 2014. With each book, I grow more comfortable with my style and characters. And, as I receive edits, I learn what the publisher is looking for.

As far as the characters go, I now feel as though I know them and understand the stresses of their lives. Much of the current stories spring from the personalities of the characters now.

Who is your audience? What kind of people do you envision reading your books?

Mystery readers, of course. But I wanted to expand my audience so I tried to straddle the cozy and hard boiled genres. Some of my readers are historical fiction fans who don't read mysteries but chose my books because of the historical component. I will say that so far my experience has been that my readers are mostly women.

Many MB4 followers are writers themselves. Can you share with us your view on the publishing experience? What works well for you? What are the challenges? How do you foresee the future development of the publishing industry and the historical mystery genre?

Working with the publishing world is frustrating. I find the 'Hurry up (and get these edits in) and Wait (for our response and your check) method maddening.  But I have learned to embrace the constructive criticisms.

I don't see the end of publishing but things are changing. However, Libraries will continue to be a huge market for the traditional publishers. They just don't have access to the independent and self-published titles. Plus, at least 90% of library patrons still prefer paper books so while e-book is a popular format, it is becoming just one of many.

Mysteries I think will continue to be a hugely popular genre and so far the historical mystery is also popular. I don't see either of those changing soon.

Is this the end of the series or will you continue to write about William Rees? What's next for you as an author?

I am currently polishing my fourth Will Rees (working title: Death in Salem, and have begun work on the fifth. I hope to run the series into the early 1800s. But I also would like to work on a few other stand alone mysteries. The main challenge is always time!

Thank you so much for talking to us, Eleanor. We wish you much success with all of your projects!

****

About Eleanor Kuhns

Eleanor Kuhns currently works as Assistant Director in the Goshen Public Library and Historical Society. Readers can email her at eleanor.kuhns@gmail.com, follow her on Facebook and Twitter under the name Eleanor Kuhns, and check out her website: www.eleanor-kuhns.com

  

****

About Dora Machado

Dora Machado is the award-winning author of the epic fantasy Stonewiser series and her newest novel, The Curse Giver, available from Twilight Times Books. She grew up in the Dominican Republic, where she developed a fascination for writing and a taste for Merengue. After a lifetime of straddling such compelling but different worlds, fantasy is a natural fit to her stories. She lives in Florida with her indulgent husband and three very opinionated cats.

E-mail:Dora@doramachado.com

Website: www.doramachado.com

Blog: http://www.doramachado.com/blog/

Newsletter: http://doramachado.com/newsletter.php

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoraMachado101

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoraMachado

 

Giveaway!!

Hey everybody, I am doing the UNTHINKABLE. I am giving away PAPERBACKS!!!! Two to be exact. I would love for you to be one of the winners....I have just now submitted a request to lengthen the contest so that more people can get in on it... I hope you are one!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

An Unexpected Performance

by Kim Smith

Giveaway ends March 13, 2014.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

GIVEAWAY! Dead Red Mystery Series: HURRICANE HOLE

Hello, MB4 fans and friends!

Today we are featuring a very cool mystery giveaway. R.P. Dahlke, owner of the All Mystery E-Newsletter, has authorized us to give away one eBook copy of her book, Hurricane Hole, a sequel to Dangerous Harbor.

All you have to do is comment below to be eligible, and leave us your email or a way to contact you for your prize when you win!

Without further ado, here is a bit about Hurricane Hole!

Marooned in Baja, Mexico, a Chechen arms dealer is waiting for the right diver to retrieve the deadly cargo lying at the bottom of the Sea of Cortez. But when Leila Hunter Standiford, on hiatus from her TV contract happens to admire a handsome captain aboard a beautiful vintage Alden, she doesn’t realize the boat will soon burn to the water line, or that a dead body will be found below, or that the captain has been targeted as the sacrificial diver, or that meeting the captain will forever change her life...

-->

Hurricane Hole

Chapter One Excerpt

Weather Forecast for the Baja and the West Coast of the Mainland Mexico, Wednesday, October 30th.
 

“Yes, folks, it’s still hurricane season, the last day of the official Pacific Hurricane Season in fact, and a Hurricane Watch has been issued this morning by the Mexican Government for the Gold Coast area from Manzanillo to Puerto Vallarta. Tropical Storm Ursula has now been energized by warmer waters above the ITZ and she is expected to be generating sustained winds of 75-85 miles per hour within the next 12 hours. She is forecasted to build to a Category 3 or 4 hurricane within 36 hours. Six to 12 inches of rainfall are expected over portions of the central part of this region.
 

Ursula is turning out to be Hot, Wet and Wild for a late season storm. Major flooding and high storm surges are also expected in the Watch Areas and could become much worse if higher than normal tides develop due to the full moon combined with the high surges.
 

Of course, the next question on your mind is — will hurricane Ursula continue in the northwest direction, gather strength, and continue up into the Sea of Cortez like last year? I will have more on this tomorrow here on the Sonrisa Net on 3968 kHz LSB at 13:45 UTC. This is KE7DLH , Baja Bob clearing off until tomorrow.”
 

Read more here.

***

Not only is Rebecca an author, but she also runs a great newsletter that features deals on MYSTERIES and THRILLERS! See it here.
 

You also might want to sign up for the newsletter to get great deals. Click on the image below to go to the website to sign up.

RP Dalhke, Author Bio:

I sort of fell into the job of running a crop-dusting business when my dad decided he’d rather go on a cruise than take another season of lazy pilots, missing flaggers, testy farmers and horrific hours. After two years at the helm, I handed him back the keys and fled to a city without any of the above. And no, I was never a crop-duster.

I write about a tall, blond and beautiful ex-model turned crop-duster who, to quote Lalla Bains, says: “I’ve been married so many times they oughta revoke my license.” I wanted to give readers a peek at the not-so-perfect-life of a beautiful blonde. Lalla Bains is no Danielle Steele character, she’s not afraid of chipping her manicure. Scratch that, the girl doesn’t have time for a manicure what with herding a bunch of recalcitrant pilots and juggling work orders just to keep her father’s flagging business alive.

Special Note:

Book Promotion at All Mystery is open for part of March. I will be closed mid-march as I'm going to Left Coast Crime, Monterey, California.

I'll also be at Tucson Festival of Books, Booth #116, March 15-16, 2014: https://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/

Left Coast Crime, Monterey, March 20-23: http://leftcoastcrime.org/:

I'll be on a panel, Thursday, Noon, promoting and I'll bring pdf printouts of "Jump Start Your Book Promotions" to hand out to attendees until I run out!

 

Part Two of My Candid Interview with Freelance Publicist Mayra Calvani

By

Dora Machado

I met Mayra Calvani last year when my publisher recommended her services to help promote my 2013 release, The Curse Giver. Until that moment, I hadn't really understood what a good book publicist was all about. Mayra's access to high-quality websites and blogs impressed me, as did her organizational skills and her ability to follow up and deliver on the specific services she offers. 

She knows what she's talking about.

If you are considering buying a book publicity package and you haven't read the first part of this interview, go back and take a look. You'll be happy you did. Today, Mayra gives us her take on the importance of marketing a novel, the role of social media and the future of book promotion.

Mayra Calvani

Welcome back, Mayra. In the highly competitive world of book publicity, how are you able to publish your reviews and promote your authors in so many quality, high-visibility, high-traffic sites?

I started writing for all these sites years ago. My aim then was to build a platform and promote my own books, as well as promote other authors' works. At some point, about three years ago, I told myself that I could maybe create an interview package for authors and make a little extra money in the process. So that's how it started.

Early this year, my cloud expanded to several great blogs created by Dorothy Thompson of Pump Up Your Book Promotion (http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/), a terrific lady and company to work with. She invited me to be an author on her various blogs. The value of my packages greatly increased since then. I'm immensely grateful to Dorothy for this opportunity. I love working with her.

Is social media important? How do you use Facebook and Twitter to your authors' benefit? Are there other trends that have a positive impact on book promotion?

I share my clients' promo links on Twitter (I pre-schedule multiple tweets over a period of time) and on various Facebook and Goodreads book-related groups.

Social media can be effective, but it has to be done well. By this I mean that an author mustn't only self-promote; he must offer valuable content and spend some time each week really interacting with his followers. This, of course, is time consuming.

But again, nobody seems to have a magic formula. While some authors are having success increasing sales via social media, others who are also doing it right aren't selling books at all.

Street team is a new concept that uses social media to create a group of fans to spread the word about a book. I don't offer this service but some publicists are doing it. I'm not too informed about its effectiveness to give my opinion on it, but I'm curious about it and in fact plan to hire a publicist in the near future to create one for me.

You ask about other trends…  I'd like to mention that many fellow authors are having success with promotional sites such as BookBub.com and BookGorilla.com. This is certainly worth checking into by authors. As I said before, though, success also depends on the book's cover, blurb, and genre. 

What happens when an author concentrates on writing but neglects book promotion?

Like I said earlier, according to Bowker's, approximately 3,000,000 books were published in 2011. I don't think I need to say anything else—except to remind authors that while book promotion is important, nothing is as important as producing that next book. Meaning, never let promotion get in the way of writing.

Do you think that your success as a book publicist is connected to your success as an author and/or your writer's skills?

Interesting question, and one that makes me think about how I got started as a freelance publicist. As it usually happens, one thing leads to another.

I reviewed for years before I co-wrote The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing. I never thought or planned to write a book about reviewing. One thing evolved organically from the other.

The same thing happened with freelance publicity. I never intended or thought I would do publicity. Like I mentioned earlier, I interviewed authors and wrote for many online magazines for free for years before I thought, “Hey, I can create promo packages and charge for doing this.”

As an author, though, I'm sensitive to other authors' concerns when it comes to promotion—especially their pocketbook. I like to offer good value for the money.

Mayra Calvani's Favorite Tea Room in Brussels, where she lives

How do you balance writing and book promoting? What's the workday like for a book publicist?

I have developed a schedule that works for me. I try to do my writing and creative work in the mornings. That's when my mind is fresh and rested and when I'm at my best creative wise. My writing comes first. If I'm in the process of editing a book, I'll do it in the mornings as well. I wish I could be one of those authors who writes eight hours a day, but my brain doesn't work the same after midday. It gets tired. I just don't have the mental stamina.

Afternoons are for my own book-related stuff, my own book promotion, answering emails, etc. Evenings are usually for my freelance book publicity. 

I'm flexible with my afternoons and evenings, but I try to be non-negotiable with my mornings. Of course, life often gets in the way, but if I can avoid it, I seldom make appointments with doctors or friends in the mornings. I know from experience that a morning of no writing done means a day of no writing done.

Since I adopted this schedule two years ago, I've been more productive than ever—and less busy.

Putting on your writer's hat, tell us about your books. What kinds of books do you write, what's in your pipeline, and are you currently promoting a new release?

I write fiction and nonfiction for children and adults on both sides of the spectrum, from children's picture books to horror for adults.

I recently completed a YA fantasy that landed me an agent in late August. I'm currently working on another YA novel and awaiting the release of yet another one next spring. One of my children's picture books, A Bad Mad Sad Day for Mama Bear (http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Mad-Sad-Mama-Bear-ebook/dp/B00GL52ZE2) just came out and I'm busy promoting it.

Readers can find out more from my website at www.MayraCalvani.com.

I have a separate site for my children's books at www.MayrasSecretBookcase.com 

Trick question: Do you think about book promotion when you are writing your books? Should authors be thinking about book promotion when we are crafting our novels?

I generally don't think about book promotion when writing my books. I try to focus on enjoying the writing process itself and feeling passionate about my subject, story, and characters. And, of course, on improving my craft and writing the best book I can possibly write.

Having said this, there's a part of me that sometimes worries about my audience and the effect my choices may have in later promoting the book.

For example, I'm currently working on a YA psychological thriller with Hispanic characters set in Puerto Rico in the 1970s.

Well, right there I think: This is suicide. I'm narrowing my audience big time! Why not set it in the present in the U.S. or England, thus greatly widening my audience?

But I can't do that. Why? Because I have to stay true to the story and characters, that's why. Of course, if in the future my agent or publisher suggests I change the time and setting, I would give it serious consideration. But for the moment, while writing it, I can't change it based on future book promotion. The story and characters would lose authenticity. They would feel fake. I would lose passion.

Looking forward, what does the future of book promotion look like?

More and more of it will be done online. We'll see more audio and video reviews and interviews.

Thank you so much for visiting with us!

Thanks for this opportunity, Dora. It was great chatting with you.

****

About Mayra Calvani:

Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer's Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others. When she's not writing, reading, editing or reviewing, she enjoys walking her dog, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Website www.MayraCalvani.com

Blog www.thedarkphantom.wordpress.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mayra.calvani

Twitter https://twitter.com/mcalvani

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/272703.Mayra_Calvani

 

****

About Dora Machado:

Dora Machado is the award-winning author of the epic fantasy Stonewiser series and her newest novel, The Curse Giver, available from Twilight Times Books. She grew up in the Dominican Republic, where she developed a fascination for writing and a taste for Merengue. After a lifetime of straddling such compelling but different worlds, fantasy is a natural fit to her stories. She lives in Florida with her husband and three very opinionated cats.

When she is not writing fantasy, Dora writes features and interviews for Murder By Four, an award winning blog for readers and writers, and Savvy Authors, where writers help writers.

E-mail:Dora@doramachado.com

Website: www.doramachado.com

Blog: http://www.doramachado.com/blog/

Newsletter: http://doramachado.com/newsletter.php

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoraMachado101

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoraMachado

MB4: http://murderby4.blogspot.com/

Savvy Writers: http://ce.savvyauthors.com/

        

 

Power Outages in Our Writing

by Kim Smith
Potholes are commonplace in the south in winter and spring. They occur due to inclement weather conditions, mostly rain. No matter what they are, they signal worrisome woes on any highway, byway, or road. Literary potholes are no different and when we are on the “Road to Writing a Novel” show up at the worst time, when you cannot swerve around them, and they can hamper your efforts to get somewhere with your writing.

But you can avoid them if you are wise and watchful. Here is a short list of things that will detour your journey:

1. Answering too many emails.

The novel or short story can face power outages if you have more than one email to answer over the course of an hour. Some of the emailers want to chat, some want answers to writing questions, and some want an interview. Taking the time to answer all of these emails and commit to the various requests will make your muse plop down and take a nap.

2. What time did you put down to write?

Your writing was scheduled to begin as soon as you got the kids off to school on Monday, but on Monday your son needed cleats for his ball gear. Then, your husband had a dinner guest coming unexpectedly for Tuesday night, and it was Wednesday before you revisited the calendar. So why hasn’t it gotten underway? Because by now you are mentally anguished and out of resources and cannot write. No wonder! You haven’t put any time aside for you.

3. Let's try this one!

Sometimes "new" ideas come to you and take your mind off the current WIP. It’s okay to do the stop and start thing if you KEEP GOING on the current WIP. Don’t let the idea monster gobble up the idea you are already working on. Put the new ideas on paper and file them for the week after you finished this first draft.

4. Another writer gets a contract and you are eating their dust!

Sometimes when a writer friend of ours hits the jackpot and gets a contract for an agent or publisher, it means the death of our time. We spend an enormous amount of energy either being jealous and not talking to them anymore, or acting like a burr in their sock and wanting to be as close to them as possible to learn as much as we can about the experience. Either way, it is a muse killer and soon our own writing is left behind.

5. Why don't we talk anymore?

When the writing pace decreases, the first place to look is a sagging middle. Most published authors will tell you, it is the middles that will kill writing efforts. My advice to fix a sagging middle or a basic beginning that is going nowhere is to kill someone. Killing off a character will definitely shake things up and get the ball rolling again.

What other things can you think of that will keep your writing on track? Many of you are planning on trying out the NanoWriMo method next fall. If you will keep these things in mind, you may find you are more successful than you have ever dreamed of being.