tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49325712768288388972023-11-16T01:06:52.020-05:00Jennifer W. BectonHistorical Fiction & ThrillersAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-7453240147978669632011-01-01T23:37:00.000-05:002011-01-01T23:37:42.118-05:00MOVIN' ON UPMy blog has moved <a href="http://bectonliterary.com/skidding-in-sideways/">here</a>. Please join me at my new online home.<br />
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In case you forget or if you just enjoy using Blogger, I am still (sort of) updating here. Above this post, you will see links to all my new blog posts. Click there to read the new stuff. <br />
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I appreciate every reader, so please come on over.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-7761794770708871862010-12-20T20:42:00.000-05:002010-12-20T20:42:36.476-05:00Week of Whimsy: Meet My CatBefore I wrote Charlotte Collins, I was--and still am--a freelance editor employed by contract by two small presses. As a freelancer, my motto has always been "feast or famine." Either I had too much work or none at all. So if work came along during holidays, I had to take it.<br />
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This year, however, I decided to take the week of Christmas off. It feels so decandent to take time off, and so, I've decided to have a week of whimsy here on Skidding in Sideways. No serious talk. Just fun.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4ZwFbJgAnqxB_jobIYuz04bvETgrEeAgR1rrHa2Q-FIdTpA8Pg2cQYKrXkQkWL6kGNKJXqE3gkmVUVuj4-FDX5udOFbkC9W6vFPDs2WKaG4So2-KnCF2kHcA2xornZcUnm9RbQ_EfdA/s1600/Puttytat+Head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4ZwFbJgAnqxB_jobIYuz04bvETgrEeAgR1rrHa2Q-FIdTpA8Pg2cQYKrXkQkWL6kGNKJXqE3gkmVUVuj4-FDX5udOFbkC9W6vFPDs2WKaG4So2-KnCF2kHcA2xornZcUnm9RbQ_EfdA/s320/Puttytat+Head.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>So, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to my writing partner: Puttytat.<br />
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Puttytat literally showed up on our doorstep one winter night seven years ago. She was extremely skittish--and is still terrified of most other humans--but apparently, my husband and I were deemed acceptable, and she moved herself in. Actually, she took over the household. She also played a large role in the writing of Charlotte Collins; she sat in my lap for most of its composition and made sure I remained in front of the computer through several drafts. Her self-appointed task is to keep our property varmint-free, a job that she takes very seriously. She patrols the perimeter of our yard daily, and sometimes, she leaves us gifts on the sidewalk. She has assassinated bugs, lizards, mice, moles, birds, skinks, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and a bat. (Still trying to figure out how she got the bat.) She also fulfills the roles of alarm clock, court jester, and lap warmer.<br />
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I am so thankful that Puttytat decided to make us her humans.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-70536348917981704042010-12-16T00:06:00.000-05:002010-12-16T00:06:31.487-05:00Jane Austen Birthday Celebration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiKwDb1tk_BarrVuYnF80-I3q-Exy8KP4D6mY1Vk0IFRp2iHf6QBU-fL4XOM44xtQvK7RGAj_yUz-dTpjGcVFkMt9rCwnRgicqrlHgzOqPriXyxa5pURes3I1GbfXZy4HwzwqmmXKjsQ/s1600/CassandraAusten-JaneAusten%2528c_1810%2529reversed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiKwDb1tk_BarrVuYnF80-I3q-Exy8KP4D6mY1Vk0IFRp2iHf6QBU-fL4XOM44xtQvK7RGAj_yUz-dTpjGcVFkMt9rCwnRgicqrlHgzOqPriXyxa5pURes3I1GbfXZy4HwzwqmmXKjsQ/s320/CassandraAusten-JaneAusten%2528c_1810%2529reversed.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>On this day 235 years ago, Jane Austen was born. Her life was short, enduring only forty-one years, and rather sheltered. She travelled little and spent most of her time with her family and a close circle of friends, and she only received one marriage proposal, which she turned down. By today's standards, Jane Austen was very sheltered indeed and not at all a person one would expect to make an impact on the literary world.<br />
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Still, Ms. Austen did something few people ever do: she created books that continue to touch people's hearts centuries later. Her novels may not be the stuff of big blockbuster special effects films or contain earth-changing commentary, but they deal with more intimate problems, smaller scale woes that all people in all generations face. How do we find love? How do we deal with money issues? Did we misjudge someone? Where is our place in society?<br />
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Ms. Austen reminds us that sometimes a larger impact can be made by focusing on what may seem to be the mundane details of life. In these small details, we spend most of our energy. These small details make us who we are and define how we relate to the world around us.<br />
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I am in no small way indebted to Jane Austen. Without Pride and Prejudice, I would not have written Charlotte Collins, and I would not be on the journey I am taking today. She has taught me that books do not need to be tragedies to be considered literature, and she has showed me that good novels can be written by people of any age and place in society.<br />
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So thank you, Ms. Austen, for reminding us what is truly important and for giving us so many wonderful novels.<br />
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In honor of Jane Austen's birthday, please accept a free copy of <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/31317">"Maria's Romance,"</a> my short story, for any eReader at Smashwords.com.<br />
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Also accept this <strong>Jane Austen Birthday Celebration Coupon</strong> and receive <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/26595"><em>Charlotte Collins: A Continuation of Jane Austen's</em> Pride and Prejudice</a> in any eBook format at Smashwords.com for only <strong>$0.99!</strong> Use coupon code: <strong>XL87H</strong> at checkout. This deal is good for one day only, so head over now and join me in celebrating Jane Austen's birthday!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-74105977639096556252010-12-15T12:43:00.003-05:002010-12-15T17:59:15.322-05:00Writing Fear Free: Reviews<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHMrUZZAfbJ6WsRZYTY19CP5Fp-7yhlFK9la6o0ahRnAMWLTet3BWN7ru0Lwbf0jxBaGm_e3ecjsqbqM8kI4O78pJNkENLiCOXQ6-KjHkfbjmq8DCjpua1o23Ht-l5pHmK8X7OPq5Idw/s1600/reviews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHMrUZZAfbJ6WsRZYTY19CP5Fp-7yhlFK9la6o0ahRnAMWLTet3BWN7ru0Lwbf0jxBaGm_e3ecjsqbqM8kI4O78pJNkENLiCOXQ6-KjHkfbjmq8DCjpua1o23Ht-l5pHmK8X7OPq5Idw/s320/reviews.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After working on a book for months or years, finding an agent and publisher or going indie, and then seeing the book to press, you'd think the hard part was over.<br />
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<div>Wrong. You still have to face reviews. You want people to like your book; that's why you put it out there for sale. What if book reviewers and online customers pan it?</div><br />
<div>That can be a scary prospect.</div><br />
<div>Really, there aren't many careers in which people are faced so directly with critiques of their work from so many sources. It's not like engineers have a web page devoted entirely to one of their designs: "The water line out on highway 21 gets water to my house pretty well, but if the engineer had used a 15-inch diameter pipe instead of a 14-inch diameter, it would have been a better design. And I really thought the installation crew should have worn yellow vests instead of orange. 3.5 stars." Can you imagine?</div><br />
<div>Some writers claim never to read reviews; some writers will respond to every single one. I fall somewhere in between. I read them, and unless it is an email thanking people whom I solicited for a review, I do not respond to them. I figure that my part in the review process was writing the book. Once it's out there, it's out there, and it's the reader's turn to weigh in.</div><br />
<div>There are two different ways your work will be reviewed. The first is by book bloggers and reviewers whom you solicit or who buy your book and review it for you. These fine folks do this as a hobby, and it is worth it to send them free copies, just as if you were a traditional publisher sending ARC's (advanced review copies). Book bloggers are to indie authors what the New York Times is to big-name authors. Even traditional houses solicit book bloggers. Their reviews are thorough and very professional, at least the ones who have reviewed Charlotte Collins have been. They include publication information, a summary, and a useful critique. They usually re-post their reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, and BN. I highly recommend all of my reviewers to anyone.</div><br />
<div>The second method of review is customer reviews. These are the ones that show up on Goodreads, Amazon, BN, and etc. from people who paid money to read what you wrote or who received it in a giveaway. These are reviews from your target audience, and they are just as important as the blog reviews. Because these people paid for you work, it's good to read what they have to say, especially regarding format and grammar. They may not like your plot or characters or theme, but that's the same chance everyone takes when they buy a book. But they deserve to have a quality product, even if they don't like the contents.</div><br />
Here's a summary of what I've learned so far:<br />
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<ul><li>Well-written, unbiased reviews can be very helpful, even the ones that contain critiques. Authors should be open to hearing both praise and critique and growing from it.</li>
<li>Solicit reviews from book bloggers who enjoy your genre. Good reviews from them can mean lots of good exposure.</li>
<li>Expect a certain percentage of negative customer reviews. Not everyone likes the same thing.</li>
<li>Also expect some insulting reviews. Every author gets them.</li>
<li>Think carefully before responding to any negative review. No matter what you do, as the author, you are going to come off looking defensive and petty.</li>
<li>Some customer reviewers may not have finished your book, and their review may contain factual misconceptions as a result.</li>
<li>Worse, some people may not have even read your book before reviewing it. Many customers use stores' rating systems to protest price or even something like cover art, which is usually out of your control.</li>
<li>Not every reviewer uses the same star scale. Some will only give 5 stars to the Bible.</li>
<li>Not every review is going to be unbiased. Some are going to be predisposed to loving your work (your well-meaning family and friends); some will be predisposed to being critical.</li>
</ul><br />
Incidentally, that last bullet point is why I have chosen not to review books here, especially Austen-related tomes. As a writer in this genre, I can't say that I would be unbiased when coming to another sequel or anthology. <br />
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<div>Also, would you even believe me? How do you know I'm not just saying nice things about a friend's book? Or that I'm not saying negative things about a competitor? It's a minefield I choose to avoid.</div><br />
<div>I'd rather just flat-out say, "This is my friend's book. Would you like to read it?"</div><br />
So how do you face reviews the fear-free way? I don't really know. I'm still learning.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-7563850793908310742010-12-13T12:29:00.000-05:002010-12-13T12:29:22.454-05:00To Read or Not to Read<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2readornot2read-loves2read.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy132/turner1898/darkleatherbooks-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" width="90%" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">One of the most fun things about book marketing is meeting people through blogs, Facebook, and Twitter. (And in person too, of course.) Marcie of the blog To Read or Not to Read <a href="http://2readornot2read-loves2read.blogspot.com/2010/09/charlotte-collins-by-jennifer-becton.html" target="_blank">reviewed Charlotte Collins</a> and she has been one of the best people to know for both support and encouragement.</p>On her blog, she reviews fantasy, romance, YA, Gothic, supernatural, classic, historical fiction, sci-fi, PNR, and some biographies. And she does a great job. Each review comes with full publication information so the book can be found easily and contains a brief summary of the work. Then, Marcie offers her review of the book, including fair critiques and well-thought-out opinions. All in all, Marcie is a great reviewer, and I'm not just saying that because she liked <em>Charlotte Collins</em>.<br />
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So if you are interested in any of the genres she reviews, hop over to her blog and find some <a href="http://2readornot2read-loves2read.blogspot.com/p/reviews.html" target="_blank">new books </a>to read this winter. And don't forget to read my <a href="http://2readornot2read-loves2read.blogspot.com/2010/12/guest-post-by-jennifer-becton-and.html?spref=tw" target="_blank">guest blog</a> and sign up for a free copy of <em>Charlotte Collins</em>!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-37895385555125418872010-12-09T13:15:00.000-05:002010-12-09T13:15:21.707-05:00Not in This Alone, Part 2<p>A while back, I mentioned <a href="http://bectonliterary.com/2010/11/19/not-in-this-alone/" target="_blank">two fellow Austen sequel authors </a>who had helped me in my journey with <em>Charlotte Collins</em>. And now, I have another to add to that list: <a href="http://marysimonsenfanfiction.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Lydon Simonsen</a>.</p><p>Ms. Simonsen has been supportive of my clumsy efforts--but is in no way responsible for any of my missteps--and, though she claims not to be good at giving tips, she did offer lots of valuable advice. She even read my short story <a href="http://bectonliterary.com/freebies/" target="_blank">"Maria's Romance"</a> and, lemme tell ya, having her read it made me nervous!</p><p><a name='more'></a>Again, I do not review books, including Austen sequels, on this blog. It just seems better for me to present books and let you decide for yourself if you're interested. Please find links to Ms. Simonsen's books on Amazon at the end of this post.</p><p>Ms. Simonsen has one independently published novel--a parody of <em>Persuasion</em>--titled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1451524706?ie=UTF8&tag=jenniferbcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1451524706">Anne Elliot, A New Beginning: A Persuasion Re-imagining</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jenniferbcom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1451524706" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" />. Here is the blurb from Amazon:</p><blockquote><p>On Anne Elliot's 25th birthday, her family declared her to be a spinster, but instead of being downcast by this change in status, she finds it to be quite liberating. As a result of her new-found freedom, Anne becomes a long-distance runner, and this activity greatly increases her confidence. It is this new Anne who Captain Frederick Wentworth meets when he sees the love of his life after eight years of separation. The Captain admires the changes in Anne, and he finds that he is falling in love with her all over again. However, there is a complication. The heir to Kellynch, the Elliot estate, William Elliot, has also come back into the picture after an estrangement with Anne's father, Sir Walter Elliot, and he has set his sights on Anne. Now living in Bath, Anne senses that something is not right, and with the help of a street urchin named Swoosh, she sets out to discover what William Elliot is really like.</p></blockquote><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402224397?ie=UTF8&tag=jenniferbcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1402224397">Searching for Pemberley</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jenniferbcom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1402224397" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /> was released by Sourcebooks Landmark in December 2009 and has received excellent reviews. And the cover is pretty too. From <em>Publishers Weekly</em> via Amazon:</p><blockquote><p>Using a literary mystery rooted in Jane Austen's inspiration for <em>Pride and Prejudice</em>, Simonsen's debut novel brings resonance to the story of a love-torn American girl in post-WWII London. Young and eager for adventure, Maggie Joyce has left her jobless Pennsylvania coal-mining town for a typist position overseas. In London, she discovers two love interests as well as connections to the real-life Londoners rumored to have been the basis for <em>Pride</em>'s Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Learning to disregard her prim and proper instincts, Maggie becomes closer to her very own version of Darcy, as well as the families of the original Darcy and Bennet, from whom she receives old diary entries and letters. Simonsen is clever and evenhanded, maintaining an unhurried pace in both the Austen adventure and Maggie's love life. Fans of historical fiction and Austen should savor this leisurely read. <em>(Dec.)</em><br /><br />
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</p></blockquote><p>And coming January 1, 2011 is Ms. Simonsen's newest book, which is sure to be a breakout hit: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402240252?ie=UTF8&tag=jenniferbcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1402240252">The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jenniferbcom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1402240252" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" />. From Amazon:</p><blockquote><p>If the two of them weren't so <em>stubborn...</em></p><p>It's obvious to Georgiana Darcy that the lovely Elizabeth Bennet is her brother's perfect match, but Darcy's pigheadedness and Elizabeth's wounded pride are going to keep them both from the loves of their lives.</p><p>Georgiana can't let that happen, so she readily agrees to help her accommodating cousin, Anne de Bourgh, do everything within their power to assure her beloved brother's happiness.</p><p>But the path of matchmaking never runs smoothly...</p></blockquote><p>Pre-order now and have something fun to read in the new year.</p><br />
<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jenniferbcom-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1451524706&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jenniferbcom-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1402224397&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jenniferbcom-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1402240252&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-949196503869682722010-12-08T23:16:00.003-05:002010-12-08T23:33:46.211-05:00Nook Book Update<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Gt4A-IwNCozM1BpCzdjmyeRg7mF9FZrJZq1abO3y9D5nVcHeIk6Yznq8b5TcHC92we7ZdYSG3btyiQU_QURH8Pm20v4QW8UllTiytTVXxN-JnX7ZiekY6mscEpfDTYYVvi5-Nr39rRM/s1600/pubit_badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Gt4A-IwNCozM1BpCzdjmyeRg7mF9FZrJZq1abO3y9D5nVcHeIk6Yznq8b5TcHC92we7ZdYSG3btyiQU_QURH8Pm20v4QW8UllTiytTVXxN-JnX7ZiekY6mscEpfDTYYVvi5-Nr39rRM/s1600/pubit_badge.jpg" /></a>Thanks to Doug Pardee on the BN Book Club discussion board and Zoe Winters of IndieReader.com, the issue with the PubIt! edition of Charlotte Collins is now officially resolved.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div> </div>As it turns out, my source file was somehow corrupted, either during formatting or in the conversion process. I'm not entirely sure which. But to be sure of offering the best possible product, I took the nuclear option and reformatted the whole text. Then, I downloaded a what-you-see-is-what-you-get epub editor to make sure it was exactly what I wanted. Now, not only is the page numbering more accurately represented (212 pages, not 1,000!), but I even improved the formatting of the front matter.<br />
<br />
<div> </div>Does the nook version's page numbering now match the paperback's? No. It does not, but few ebooks match their paperback counterparts. Epub creates page numbers based on file size. My coding was messed up either during my formatting or during the conversion to PubIt and was displaying a page count 5 times larger than the file size demanded. Now, it is much closer to the actual file size and the paperback page count, but not exact.<br />
<br />
<div> </div>I bought the old version. Can I get the improved one? Yes, you can, and you can do it free. I do not own a nook, so I'm not familiar with the process, but the BN Book Club Discussion Board says to re-download the book to your nook by doing this: <br />
<ul><li>Archive the book (either on the nook or online at bn.com).</li>
<li>Check for new B&N content on your nook.</li>
<li>Un-archive the book (again either online or on your nook)</li>
<li>Check for new B&N content on your nook.</li>
</ul><br />
<div>I may be a self-published author, but I will always try to provide a professional book. And when a problem arises, I will also do my best to make it right. I regret that it took me so long to realize that my file was still inaccurate; I thought I had resolved it earlier. But now, it is fixed, and I have learned a great deal about epub. </div><br />
<div> </div>Thank you to my friend who pointed out the problem and to Doug and Zoe for helping me solve it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-7536258719395641452010-12-08T16:32:00.000-05:002010-12-08T16:32:18.088-05:00Riding the Learning CurveThere is a lot to learn about the business of book publishing, and my experience has proven to be no exception. I started this blog to help others who may be in my position by posting honestly about my successes and my mistakes. So here's one thing I didn't do perfectly. When I began this journey with Charlotte Collins, I had no conception of the growing importance of ebooks. I had never seen one. I didn't know about the different file types.<br />
<br />
<br />
But I'm learning.<br />
<br />
Shortly after I launched Charlotte Collins on BN's nook, a friend in the Austen community informed me that the ebook claimed to have 1,000 pages! This surprised me for two reasons. First, at 77,000 words, Charlotte is nowhere near that length in traditional page counts; the paperback is only approximately 250 pages, not including ancillary material. And second, I didn't know that page numbers even existed in ebooks. And they don't really, not in the traditional way. Epub, the file type used by BN's nook, creates page numbers based on file size, so X number of bytes of information equals one page. They aren't designed to match up with paperbacks, though apparently there is a way this can be done in works that are frequently cited. But most authors and publishers see no more need to match their ebook's pagination to their paperback than they do to match the pagination of their hardcover and paperback versions.<br />
<br />
But 1,000 pages is way off. So in my quest to fix the issue, I've been researching the matter. I thought I had it figured out, but still, the nook book claims to be much longer than it is. Why?<br />
<br />
What is interesting is that the epub file generated by Smashwords' program was based on the same original file that I sent to BN. But their page numbers are radically different. Smashwords has the page count much closer to the original; whereas BN's is completely off. How can this be if it's the same file converted to the same format?<br />
<br />
I am looking into the issue with the PubIt! help team, and for those who purchased the BN version that claims to be 1,000 pages long, rest assured it is not. When the issue is fixed, I will let you know and you can download the corrected copy free from BN. In the meantime, if pagination is important to you in ebooks, please find the Smashwords epub edition here.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-17981651206483176302010-12-07T22:49:00.000-05:002010-12-07T22:49:51.705-05:00Ebook Pricing Experiment: The ResultsExactly 30 days ago, I changed the price of <em>Charlotte Collins</em> on ebook from $4.95 to $2.99.<br />
<br />
<div> </div>According to <a href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/09/ebook-pricing.html">J. A. Konrath</a>, $2.99 is the current market value of ebooks. You can read all the facts and figures on his blog. Honestly, I didn’t believe him, and that’s why I conducted my 30-day experiment.<br />
<br />
<div> </div>After crunching the numbers, I discovered that I would have to sell 40 percent more ebooks in order to break even. In October, when the price was $4.95, <em>Charlotte Collins</em> sold 64 Kindle editions, a number I was extremely proud of. That meant I needed to sell 90 ebooks at $2.99. Frankly, I didn’t think it was possible, but the results speak for themselves.<br />
<br />
<div> </div>From November 8 to December 7, <em>Charlotte Collins</em> sold 157 Kindle editions. That’s more than double my sales number from October.<br />
<br />
<div> </div>Since I lowered my price, I’ve had surprising feedback from some readers. They accused me of devaluing my work. Well, as far as I’m concerned, the worth of my work is equal to what I earn for it. If you look back at Konrath’s numbers, you’ll see the staggeringly awful percentages that traditional authors earn from their books. Here’s a summary:<br />
<br />
<div> </div><ul><li>8 percent of the cover price on mass market paperbacks</li>
<li>6 percent of the cover price on trade paperbacks</li>
<li>10-15 percent of the cover price on hardcover (based on sales numbers)</li>
<li>25 percent of net sales receipts on ebook</li>
</ul><br />
<div> </div>I’ll let you extrapolate the data on the paper copies, but let’s say that my ebook was traditionally published and priced at $9.99. With Amazon’s 70 percent royalty agreement, the publisher gets $7. The author gets 25 percent of that or a whopping $1.75. At $2.99, <em>Charlotte Collins</em> earns me about $2.09 per book. My price may be three times less than a traditionally published book, but I’m earning 20 percent more per book. So I’m not devaluing my work at all.<br />
<br />
What makes me the most happy about the whole situation is that I have offered <em>Charlotte Collins</em> for sale at a very affordable price, which is important to me. I am a new author. I have no draw. I had no online platform or presence until August. It would be unfair of me to expect people to pay such inflated prices on an unknown author for an ebook, a product that is so clearly less expensive to produce than a paper book. (In fact, I think it’s unfair to ask anyone to pay those prices on almost any author.) The low price benefits my readers in that they don’t have to break the bank to read a book, and it benefits me because my sales numbers have improved.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>So, lowering the price of my novel has been a win-win. And the price will not be going up on <em>Charlotte Collins</em> now or in the foreseeable future.</div><br />
<div> </div><br />
<div> </div><br />
<div> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-58842149773966742682010-12-06T14:09:00.000-05:002010-12-06T14:09:13.055-05:00Austen Experience: Austenbook<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MINdWqfwAZQk0VZN7TyW-5zUuWxX4xEnuwzeNJWaYjW_qdIJcwNskcBo32y4tyjP0uXqE9W5W27J8fNn6MHK5MBq-QzsvNLDNlFpniFBQqifGwEqaT364v2oq2gREM41VozRVFot5iY/s1600/Austenbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MINdWqfwAZQk0VZN7TyW-5zUuWxX4xEnuwzeNJWaYjW_qdIJcwNskcBo32y4tyjP0uXqE9W5W27J8fNn6MHK5MBq-QzsvNLDNlFpniFBQqifGwEqaT364v2oq2gREM41VozRVFot5iY/s320/Austenbook.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please visit <a href="http://www.much-ado.net/austenbook/">http://www.much-ado.net/austenbook/</a> for the full <br />
Austenbook experience. Hilarious!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Today, my friend at JASNA-NY posted a link to this article in the Wall Street Journal. You know, somehow in all my WSJ reading, I missed it. Har. I don't have a subscription.<br />
<br />
The article attempts to deconstruct the reasons behind Jane Austen's continuing popularity, a subject that has a great interest for me. According to those interviewed, Austen's appeal, especially to the young, comes from our similar situations.<br />
<br />
Austen's themes are universal. People today are still interested in finding Mr. or Miss Right, and they seek to become financially stable, though today women do have other means of providing for themselves monetarily than by marrying well, becoming a governess, or walking the streets. Modern women still deal with loony parents and dating dilemmas, and we also contend with certain social mores that affect our behavior.<br />
<br />
Sure, things aren't the same as they used to be, but still, we find ourselves doing the same kind of social networking that Austen wrote about. They wrote letters; we text. They had balls; we have clubs. They read about social happenings in newspapers; we post on Facebook. Technology may have changed, but we are still trying to reach out to one another.<br />
<br />
Motivated by a love for all things Austen, communities have formed around the web. Along with JASNA chapters and Austen book clubs, you can find her online. There are fan fiction websites, where writers play with Austen's characters and share their stories with each other. You can find the full texts of her novels. You can even find Auten's version of Facebook: Austenbook.<br />
<br />
I think there is a bit more to the Austen Experience, but the WSJ has it right: Jane Austen writes about universal, timeless themes, and she's here to stay!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-35632473701097499152010-12-03T16:58:00.000-05:002010-12-03T16:58:00.051-05:00Austen Experience: Sense and Sensibility 2008I'm not entirely sure why, but <i>Sense and Sensibility </i>has been on my mind in recent days. I've been pondering the connections between Marianne and Elinor in Austen's novel and Maria and Charlotte in my novel. Marianne and Maria represent sensibility; they are overt with their feelings even to the point of writing audacious letters to gentlemen, a thing that was frowned upon in that day and time unless the couple was already engaged, which of course neither couple was. (Hear that girls? No texting boys. Can you imagine?) Elinor and Charlotte represent sense; they hide their feelings or ignore them in favor of propriety. In each case, the characters learn to achieve a healthy balance between sense and sensibility, although Jane Austen writes it much better than I do.<br />
<br />
So anyway, I've been rereading bits of Austen's <i>Sense and Sensibility</i>, and while fooling around online, I discovered the BBC's production of <i>Sense and Sensibility </i>from 2008.<br />
<br />
I don't know how this movie sneaked under my radar, but it did.<br />
<br />
Here is the trailer for the DVD:<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ptzqoOGS7Sc?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ptzqoOGS7Sc?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Has anyone seen this? Is it worth tracking down and buying?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-8615848671523370262010-12-02T11:32:00.000-05:002010-12-02T11:32:41.363-05:00500<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvniaryU5CZqqpjdiz0uw5QR-zu8uyNIEyf2qP918fKYN-mdyvsfBtR1zBDVZBtpVd3mJAJkZPvTqyn89NouTyp7DMBewP0dNQ_lFfnZdlu6355BoHOjTECgF-cBYu7FkZrZ5LoeAPif0/s1600/500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvniaryU5CZqqpjdiz0uw5QR-zu8uyNIEyf2qP918fKYN-mdyvsfBtR1zBDVZBtpVd3mJAJkZPvTqyn89NouTyp7DMBewP0dNQ_lFfnZdlu6355BoHOjTECgF-cBYu7FkZrZ5LoeAPif0/s200/500.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>Today, <em>Charlotte Collins</em> had its 500th sale!<br />
<br />
I had planned a big celebration in honor of this occasion, including the release of another short story, but the sales happened so quickly, I didn't have time to write as planned. Even though you guys will have to wait longer for the next story, I'm not complaining. The speedy sales are a good thing.<br />
<br />
When I originally published <em>Charlotte</em>, I made up some outlandish goals. I hoped to sell 1,000 books in one year. In reality, I made it half way to my goal in approximately 90 days.<br />
It's actually incredibly humbling.<br />
<br />
Five hundred people, the vast majority of whom I do not know, paid money to read something I wrote. It's amazing, especially considering that most self-published books never sell more than 100 copies. In addition, Austen sequels that do not focus on Elizabeth and Darcy are not generally expected to perform well.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to lie. Sometimes, I've checked my sales numbers, found them stagnant, and thought, "Well, that's it. I'll never sell another." Then, when sales are going well, I think, "Wow! This is incredible. I could actually sell 1,000."<br />
<br />
While I may be a tad unbalanced in my thinking, I would not trade this experience for anything. It has been one of the most difficult, challenging, fun, exciting things I've ever done, and I would do it all again. <br />
<br />
And I am grateful to all of you for your role in the sale of the first 500 copies. Here's to the next 500!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-89210275339848330642010-11-30T00:24:00.000-05:002010-11-30T00:24:38.318-05:00Writing Fear Free: In the Aftermath of NaNoWriMoCongratulations on completing your novel!<br />
<br />
You are officially a novelist!<br />
<br />
Isn't that cool?<br />
<br />
I'm sure a great many of you are ready to put the book in a drawer and forget about it for a little while. Spending a month working that intensely can cause burnout, and that's OK. Take a break if you need it. Take a permanent break if you want. It's perfectly OK to bask in the glory of doing something that few people do.<br />
<br />
Others of you may be wondering what to do next. Do you start sending query letters to publishers? Do you upload to Smashwords or put it on sale in the Kindle store?<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrNBJwXQvjhrP0gTJHx_Nh4u04nS9zeWf3MfYgNMEDJubtZvfUkMljuzDEYcrrXuD7ap8VjA_3-3bVRf_3OW82vFJukKq9boQXHLPDRAfqgvwv6W7Vf1ZtGlprlBk4u_vz4B26eHLE6s/s1600/Prep2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrNBJwXQvjhrP0gTJHx_Nh4u04nS9zeWf3MfYgNMEDJubtZvfUkMljuzDEYcrrXuD7ap8VjA_3-3bVRf_3OW82vFJukKq9boQXHLPDRAfqgvwv6W7Vf1ZtGlprlBk4u_vz4B26eHLE6s/s320/Prep2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And you thought the hard part was over!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The answer to both questions is a resounding <em><strong>no</strong></em>!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And the post script to that answer is <em><strong>not yet </strong></em>anyway.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Remember your goal at the beginning of the month was to complete the <em><strong>first draft</strong></em> of your novel. That is what you have, and as Ernest Hemingway said, "The first draft of anything is shit." Don't get discouraged, but do be realistic. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Before you put your novel out there for all to see, don't you want to make sure it's your best work possible? You only have one chance to make a first impression; use it wisely.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><strong>How to Ensure Your Best Possible Work</strong></div><ul style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Read it</strong>. It sounds obvious, but some people rush to the next step too soon. Take time to read what you wrote.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Edit it</strong>. In case you missed <a href="http://jenniferbecton.blogspot.com/2010/07/writing-fear-free-introduction.html">my earlier post</a>, read it now. Unless you are a writing savant, editing should take more time and effort than the first draft. Please consult the pie chart.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Solicit critiques</strong> from people other than your parents and friends. Find someone who will give an honest assessment of your work: a professor, teacher, editor, writer, reviewer, or a member of a critique group. </li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Give it to your family</strong></span> too because it's always nice to have unconditional support. (But it's even more important to get an unbiased opinion.)</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Finish the rewrite </strong>according to your critiques and preferences.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Then, <strong>weigh your options</strong>.</li>
</ul><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Whether you choose to self-publish or seek an agent and traditional contract, presenting a polished manuscript to your audience is critical. Don't shoot yourself in the foot by rushing to publish.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Dantes_Inferno_Canto_28_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Dantes_Inferno_Canto_28_.jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where writers of unfinished <br />
NaNo novels are doomed to walk...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But what if you didn't finish? Well, then you should be cast into the inferno, naturally. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Kidding, of course.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If you didn't finish, so what? Set a new deadline and keep at it. Or if you found this novel writing thing just isn't your bag, then forget about it and try something else, like parasailing or horseback riding.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> So despite your rate of completion, you got something out of this: either a finished novel or proof that you'd rather be doing something else. Either way, aren't you glad you know? </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-80605764812468816532010-11-25T20:06:00.000-05:002010-11-25T20:06:49.384-05:00A Gift to You<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5FC2wVolwYL8vT_1XDBPqnRwVtLhzM33seWSiMmwpByTeU7mF7gHjjMK0ef-0rAYXV1K1jsLGRRDTXDUr6KD1Df0i-AdBeCqyckToh-obE5-KUlXsZcJE-4gkjvgk13drCsx3ah0n_k/s1600/Marias+Romance+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5FC2wVolwYL8vT_1XDBPqnRwVtLhzM33seWSiMmwpByTeU7mF7gHjjMK0ef-0rAYXV1K1jsLGRRDTXDUr6KD1Df0i-AdBeCqyckToh-obE5-KUlXsZcJE-4gkjvgk13drCsx3ah0n_k/s200/Marias+Romance+cover.jpg" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover art: Frau am Fenster <br />
by Caspar David Friedrich (public domain).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Dear Readers,<br />
<br />
I have said this before, but I'll say it again. It thrills me to think that I have readers! I am thankful for those of you who have read <em>Charlotte Collins</em> and for those who follow my blog. Many of you have inquired after Maria and have asked what became of her after my novel ended. So as a holiday gift to you, I've written a short story that tells exactly what you want to know.<br />
<br />
Warning: "Maria's Romance" has minor spoilers for <em>Charlotte Collins</em>. In case you haven't read <em>Charlotte Collins</em>, that's OK. I'll catch you up.<br />
<br />
After a great deal of romantic strife, Maria Lucas finds herself married to Mr. Jonas Card in a desperate attempt to extricate herself and her sister Charlotte from a dire financial situation. Mr. Card, however, truly loves Maria and has vowed to woo her. Alas, she views him only in friendly terms. But when it seems that Mr. Card's feelings have changed, Maria sets out to discover why. And through a series of unexpected events, Mr. Card succeeds in wooing his wife without saying a word.<br />
<br />
I hope you all take some pleasure in this bit-of-fluff short story and that you enjoy some semblance of the Austen experience for a few moments as you read it this holiday season.<br />
<br />
My deepest thanks for your readership and, more importantly, your friendship.<br />
<br />
<strong>Click </strong><a href="http://www.scribd.com/full/44021766?access_key=key-1h68b1b03obp2ovacoam"><strong>here</strong></a><strong> to read. Enjoy.</strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-47692849965939393252010-11-22T12:47:00.000-05:002010-11-22T12:47:19.015-05:00Writing Fear Free: NaNoWriMo Week 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCg0YJipqL-Yfe64SfyuxXUAiPdq0V_piPKFb0rcgHNfYmp3V0fYDvktGLu-9gDuC3ZFOTFh7YqKXQomP5axQga8gD_SZJBi6_mQC3ZgNqHL0v-is1CNZ-l4lWwpeChyphenhyphen9d7OlefmZ0Oo/s1600/nanowrimo_05_120x240.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCg0YJipqL-Yfe64SfyuxXUAiPdq0V_piPKFb0rcgHNfYmp3V0fYDvktGLu-9gDuC3ZFOTFh7YqKXQomP5axQga8gD_SZJBi6_mQC3ZgNqHL0v-is1CNZ-l4lWwpeChyphenhyphen9d7OlefmZ0Oo/s1600/nanowrimo_05_120x240.png" /></a></div>And down the stretch they come....<br />
<br />
This is the last week, the deadline is looming large, and you are racing toward the finish line. You are almost there! Yippeee!<br />
<br />
Last week, you reached the climax of your novel's action and began the slide to the conclusion. This week, you'll reach that most satisfying words of a novelist's journey: the end. But first, you'll have to wrap things up. Will it all end happily ever after for your protagonist? Or will you kill off everyone a la <em>Hamlet</em>? The fate of your characters and your entire literary universe rests in your hands. <br />
<br />
Enjoy the power.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Week 2 Problem Zones and Potential Resolutions</strong></div><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Don't wrap things up too neatly. Even as a huge fan of happy endings, I find it unrealistic to believe that every plot is going to reach the end at the same time. Not every character is going to be ready for their happy ending yet, and hey, maybe you'll write the rest of their story for NaNoWriMo next year. </li>
<li>If you are going for wholesale immolation, leave some character alive to tell the story, like Horatio in <em>Hamlet</em>.</li>
<li>When you cross the finish line, celebrate. You have accomplished something that few people have: you have written the rough draft of a novel! </li>
<li>You may be tempted to print the manuscript and share it with all your friends or upload the whole thing to Smashwords, but <strong><em>resist this temptation</em></strong>. You have accomplished an amazing feat and you should rejoice, but take some time to decompress. Close the document. Take a shower. Then, come back here to read next week's NaNoWriMo blog about what to do next.</li>
</ul>PS. Now that NaNoWriMo is almost over, I can type with both hands again. Convenient. I'll be heading into my own unofficial noveling challenge, but before I broke my arm, I did manage to complete a short story. I edited it with one hand (and maybe a few painkillers), and now it's ready. So check back on Black Friday for a Christmas gift,<em> Charlotte Collins</em> style!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-75126376846896737242010-11-21T17:26:00.001-05:002010-11-21T17:27:19.256-05:00Win a Free Copy of Charlotte CollinsHaven't read <em>Charlotte Collins</em> yet?<br />
<br />
Need a gift for an Austen-loving friend?<br />
<br />
Just like to get free stuff?<br />
<br />
Then, visit my friend <a href="http://alexaadams.blogspot.com/2010/11/interview-with-jennifer-becton-author.html">Alexa Adams's blog.</a> Read my interview there and sign up to win a <em>free</em> copy of <em>Charlotte Collins: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice</em>.<br />
<br />
And please support indie Austen authors by checking out Alexa's novel <em>First Impressions</em>!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-84593099705180523242010-11-19T10:29:00.001-05:002010-11-19T10:32:21.938-05:00Pemberley Ball 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I1jLeCSuP2TQvdKE1WaNGbETP9ZmDPrunIiMCkrPLEX0GHxW_oM5tLF2jXodJbUMydVqS442LnS0WbqQ_97IPP4iZwYWllNFiL8-dT0edLwSZIdg1xTFEN7PDA15Ry7i0BR9GjTysJo/s1600/PemberleyBall2010badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I1jLeCSuP2TQvdKE1WaNGbETP9ZmDPrunIiMCkrPLEX0GHxW_oM5tLF2jXodJbUMydVqS442LnS0WbqQ_97IPP4iZwYWllNFiL8-dT0edLwSZIdg1xTFEN7PDA15Ry7i0BR9GjTysJo/s1600/PemberleyBall2010badge.jpg" /></a></div>Today, I'll be party crashing the <strong>Pemberley Ball,</strong> an interactive blog party where guests travel back in time, assume Regency names, partake in delicious delicacies, and encounter characters from <em>Pride and Prejudice</em>. The party officially began yesterday and will run through November 20, 2010. Join us fashionably late and bring a cute date to <a href="http://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/2010/11/pemberley-ball-invitation-2010.html?showComment=1290179654946_AIe9_BEuxPSkip6uAR52INH1rCHfSbwWUqJZft2w6PsoHRpgZsT4AvNHaq6vXPvk-z92PU7met9E6PTV5Pq97moUmeTdDtbKifMclVIC0aqOukeGqhCcopsoUFWrDpzhzlSAcJ8YJKmv7rGxeeFgd1XHjhn8hxzStZjvle_MGuuJeOGSkqRCOHmeyGCCZQih6ZUN5ODGjMWneljrPl2B_VD6kyj4C-hjqpc48CgZhyxTsdJ9REoE04ApCL1jStr2SQCIgM3TGTW1Z8I2qBJLsHJNanjYzIbyVmsYqjiIaskVWvZ8b08nX0lL1pvzIxIoEoT2dFLTwptFRGIVPNoTSlA6mUlF2CVtYOyW4ks5mRyHJncU-5PHcwqGpdqZ9UIdrGF6PsRix98SRTpY58wSwzuPQyFuHqtankGyEl4wDllSIXhvC6OK3S9crBeU9G1d0lUcjUl_MxWFrSLOn81un0ugzwXMDWfR3CuXO-iOQyaygfTAN0yL-0jkHO3E8PO8YOCKZ0dDwwHX1bMqIz4WWRibE1ZFBhFcKd2Bv_PL2Nj0KP25b_Y5YKhLAMGhahnp6PkSvYDORHivevfpnJpYkP8DxF3ii_EzP1B-1UqncdBPIEWuSIVInHJOojcYuZ1_UDZHgjIytj8k8l6iXwMLWl_0BNi1JrviA90WUlRwQYsBW9FbJLc7Lykq7__MOk6zg-C8S9s49q-nXvF2jOp-_O_V3TPBjuTpCEH5O8sW8vRoQFIgWEIKBuoe5F1FuCz3b0Vz_Y_uyBoCr4a_D0zMVkyh4WcT1F9Cggs8kq70o5yjJpcg5TgoizXhdnc0Eft_fwuoKrV3bKYV#c1791275787784600058">vvb32reads</a>.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMh_IiYBEdQM_ywOu-IKql9Rx2_IKo_kEeXviWSR3JZv0XNqhH3oAYLQXhBV7ceEf3ldrRxRpLdH4iXv7m0cZSUYU04ObQJ95rEc2YHNAnzJqZNQaMY4s98Tf6MMMdOdTbkKQ8Ho8bnM/s1600/ballgown+red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMh_IiYBEdQM_ywOu-IKql9Rx2_IKo_kEeXviWSR3JZv0XNqhH3oAYLQXhBV7ceEf3ldrRxRpLdH4iXv7m0cZSUYU04ObQJ95rEc2YHNAnzJqZNQaMY4s98Tf6MMMdOdTbkKQ8Ho8bnM/s200/ballgown+red.jpg" width="144" /></a><strong>My RSVP</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Name</strong>: Calliope Cathwood</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Because I have the audacity to join the party later in the evening, I had to find a suitably audacious name. I think Calliope suits.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<strong>Ball Gown</strong>: I found this image at <a href="http://greatbasincostume.blogspot.com/">Great Basin Costume</a>, and it seems appropriately colored for a party crasher. And very pretty indeed.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://content7.flixster.com/photo/54/11/80/5411809_tml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="http://content7.flixster.com/photo/54/11/80/5411809_tml.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://becomingjill.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/mr-darcy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="http://becomingjill.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/mr-darcy.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong>My Escort</strong>: I know I'm supposed to choose my favorite Mr. Darcy, so here is a picture of Colin Firth to drool over. But if I'm going to crash a Regency ball, my escort could be none other than Willoughby. Who else would make fashionably late so much fun?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You are cordially inviated to crash the Pemberley Ball with me! Meet lots of wonderful Austen authors and have a chance to win some free goodies. Look for me in the red gown. I'll be out on the balcony destroying my reputation.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-15840725773798504232010-11-19T00:42:00.001-05:002010-11-19T00:47:16.399-05:00Not in This AloneOne of the first things I learned when I began my journey with <em>Charlotte Collins</em> was that I was not in this alone. I had the support of my husband, my parents, in-laws, and friends, and their encouragement and blatant over-promotion of my book has been uplifting, especially during times of self-doubt. I count on them and am thankful to have them in my life.<br />
<br />
But I didn't count on the support that I have received from the writing community, especially fellow Austen authors. Being a bit overwhelmed about the chances of actually selling one book, let alone 1,000, I emailed a few Austen authors to ask their advice. Two responded, and their advice and encouragement has been a huge help in <em>Charlotte's</em> modest success.<br />
<br />
So, even though I don't do reviews on this blog--besides, I confess I haven't had the chance to read their newest works yet--I wanted to return the favor by sharing their current books with you. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMU9jb_cE1EQSFthSpsZ30aSnb4N52oVY0tt_u5Nf-bTGzAWVxgz8ucMiDPO55ECs1pHrhuIvHNlJcRMDbLxPYLDEv0LMeYwF0H-9eKOm0a6RsDyd7AnzSzCRfX_yMVmJoO9cWXpI6Ve0/s1600/51mXucl2AiL._SL160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMU9jb_cE1EQSFthSpsZ30aSnb4N52oVY0tt_u5Nf-bTGzAWVxgz8ucMiDPO55ECs1pHrhuIvHNlJcRMDbLxPYLDEv0LMeYwF0H-9eKOm0a6RsDyd7AnzSzCRfX_yMVmJoO9cWXpI6Ve0/s1600/51mXucl2AiL._SL160_.jpg" /></a></div><strong>Alexa Adams</strong> is another brave independent Austen sequel writer and her book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1432753312?ie=UTF8&tag=jenniferbcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1432753312">First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jenniferbcom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1432753312" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> is flying off the shelves.<br />
<blockquote><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">From Amazon.com: In Pride and Prejudice Fitzwilliam Darcy begins his relationship with Elizabeth Bennet with the words: "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present togive consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men." What would have happened if Mr. Darcy had never spoken so disdainfully? First Impressions explores how the events of Jane Austen's beloved novel would have transpired if Darcy and Elizabeth had danced together at the Meryton Assembly. Jane and Bingley's relationship blossoms unimpeded, Mary makes a most fortunate match, and Lydia never sets a foot in Brighton. Austen's witty style is authentically invoked in this playful romp from Longbourn to Pemberley. </div></blockquote><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJj6-LwqkHO7k2HYZuT8wSuXUzN__fuiErTFYoOaMWX1xE9bYVPsNtzg8sEReEsU_3v2HzQAesKLkwCdeFhyphenhyphenTUT2cOIVTLQHQ7aVd6RbNeje_NauZHl1v9T6lNCI4SwOVIApCYGwAREAg/s1600/51wXcsyBcbL._SL160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJj6-LwqkHO7k2HYZuT8wSuXUzN__fuiErTFYoOaMWX1xE9bYVPsNtzg8sEReEsU_3v2HzQAesKLkwCdeFhyphenhyphenTUT2cOIVTLQHQ7aVd6RbNeje_NauZHl1v9T6lNCI4SwOVIApCYGwAREAg/s1600/51wXcsyBcbL._SL160_.jpg" /></a><strong>Abigail Reynolds </strong>is the author of many Austen sequels, and her newest is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402240929?ie=UTF8&tag=jenniferbcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1402240929">Mr. Darcy's Obsession (Pride & Prejudice Continues)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jenniferbcom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1402240929" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />.</div><blockquote>From Amazon.com: In her sixth Pride and Prejudice variation, Reynolds imagines what obstacles might have stood in the way of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy’s love had Elizabeth’s father died, driving the Bennet family out of their estate at Longbourn. Elizabeth’s older sister Jane is forced to marry a much older shopkeeper, and Elizabeth moves in with her uncle and aunt Gardiner. Despite Elizabeth’s diminished circumstances, Darcy tracks her down, but when he finally gets around to proposing, she misinterprets his awkward bid for her hand as a request to become his mistress. As soon as that miscommunication is cleared up, Elizabeth’s younger sister Lydia shows up, pregnant and abandoned by a feckless military officer. Lydia’s situation necessitates Elizabeth return to her family, leaving Elizabeth to wonder if this latest disgrace will deter Darcy’s determination to marry her. Austen purists won’t seek out Reynolds’ takeoffs, but readers who can’t get enough of Darcy and Elizabeth will find that Reynolds does an admirable job of capturing the feel of the period in this entertaining diversion. --Kristine Huntley </blockquote>Thank you for your help, support, and encouragement, Alexa and Abigail. And gentle readers, please take this opportunity to restock your bookshelves with some fresh novels that offer the Jane Austen experience.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-20066041214682406912010-11-17T14:45:00.001-05:002010-11-17T21:06:16.646-05:00Austen Experience: Not Her StyleOk, everyone grab your smelling salts and assume a Mrs. Bennet-like posture on your sofa because I am about to induce an attack on your poor nerves. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Thomson-PP21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Thomson-PP21.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Bennet to Jane Austen: Mind your semi-colons,<br />
my dear. You know what a misplaced item of punctuation<br />
does to my poor nerves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here we go.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Are you ready?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Jane Austen had an editor.</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'll give you a moment to recover.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now, that you are sufficiently ready to continue, read the following <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11610489">BBC article </a>about how Austen's rough drafts were full of careless errors and spelling mistakes and <a href="http://www.npr.org/2010/11/15/131335890/was-jane-austen-edited-does-it-matter">this better article</a> about why the whole Austen style question is a bunch of hooey.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The blogosphere has pretty much taken care of this matter to suit me, but I'd like to raise an interesting bit of irony.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Everyone is freaking out because Jane Austen had an editor. They claim that being edited means her style was not her own and that she was not a literary genius. Her text has been altered by an editor or publisher.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Contrast the main complaint that people make about independently published books and the reason publishers claim authors cannot self-publish: they don't have editors to polish the text. While many make the claim the indie books are full of errors--and undoubtedly some are--most authors do hire editors or proofers to ensure that their text is clean. But I digress.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Having an editor is a fault for Austen; not having an editor is a fault for everyone else.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's just silly, if you ask me.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-69462034067802009502010-11-16T13:41:00.002-05:002010-11-16T16:19:14.874-05:00ChangesWith one of my writing arms out of commission temporarily, I decided to tackle some housekeeping matters that I've been putting off. I'm hoping I won't need my left arm too much to do the digital chores I have in mind.<br />
<br />
We'll see.<br />
<br />
Today, I took down my longtime freelance editing and writing website and will be replacing it with a hosted Wordpress blog that will eventually encompass all the facets of my business: editing, novel writing, blogging, free short stories, and more.<br />
<br />
I was surprised by the sadness that welled up at taking down that old page. Freelance editing has been my craft and trade for ten years, and for most of those years, I've genuinely enjoyed it. It taught me all the skills I needed to make <em>Charlotte Collins</em> happen. It paid my rent and kept me fed and warm. It helped me afford a horse. I'm thankful that I've been able to freelance.<br />
<br />
No, I'm not going to quit editing. I can't. I still need to eat. So does the horse. But I'm slowly moving to another phase of my career, and I'm changing things to better suit my new goals. I'll still be editing for my clients, but I'm not taking on more new ones. I'll be using my time now to write, I hope. <br />
<br />
This is exciting and scary and sad all at the same time. I suppose change is like that. But it's time, and I've already taken the first step: this crazy indie publishing venture. Now, it's time to make this new direction permanent. I'm going to consolidate my online presence into one place, and hopefully, it will be neater and more professional looking than ever before. <br />
<br />
If I can use my arm well enough to make that happen...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-83940316533613793422010-11-14T23:27:00.000-05:002010-11-14T23:27:00.734-05:00Writing Fear Free: NaNoWriMo Week 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwQc2zwc2IE44F7_HpK37gaAoX0VVb0luYIBvtVqvIKejdJYFcwsHUtlLy2DCc-nnStiwvwjZ5EC3evHq0q22ZQHcmXnTF_FGA94X03QXQK52x0AuyIAxe178sUKQ-oBtk77mOzma5lQ/s1600/nanowrimo_04_120x240.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwQc2zwc2IE44F7_HpK37gaAoX0VVb0luYIBvtVqvIKejdJYFcwsHUtlLy2DCc-nnStiwvwjZ5EC3evHq0q22ZQHcmXnTF_FGA94X03QXQK52x0AuyIAxe178sUKQ-oBtk77mOzma5lQ/s1600/nanowrimo_04_120x240.png" /></a></div>Last week, I fell off my horse, and it was the first time I could not get right back in the saddle. In fact, for a few minutes, I couldn't move. Along with a bruised tailbone, I chipped a bit of bone off my elbow. <br />
<br />
It hurt.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm only able to type with one hand.<br />
<br />
I have to look at every task from a new perspective. I have to break things down into small steps that I know I can do so that I don't re-injure my arm.<br />
<br />
And when I do get back in the saddle again, I will also have a different perspective. I've been hurt. Will I go out and immediately seek out the cattle truck that spooked my horse and caused the accident? <br />
<br />
No. I'll break down the task into things I know we can so well and build memories of good rides to override the fear. I will be out there again soon doing what I love.<br />
<br />
Does this have anything to do with NaNoWriMo?<br />
<br />
A great deal.<br />
<br />
This week you'll be writing your <strong>climax and falling action</strong> (sorry for dreadful pun). A big event occurs and leads to some interesting changes in your main character's life.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Week 3 Problem Zones and Potential Resolutions</strong></div><ul><li>You may find yourself behind in the word count. You may be tempted to give up the whole thing. But you can get back in the saddle and make up you deficit, no matter how big.</li>
<li>Don't try to make up your lack all in one sitting.</li>
<li>Break the task into smaller chunks.</li>
</ul>If it is scary to think of making up 2,000 words, instead think of adding an extra 500 word session each day for the next 4 days. Can you sit down and write 500 words?<br />
<br />
Sure you can.<br />
<br />
I just wrote 318 words with only one hand in less than 15 minutes.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-55911724239375791872010-11-08T13:31:00.002-05:002010-11-08T13:34:16.547-05:00Ebook Pricing ExperimentThis definitely falls under the Skidding in Sideways category. When I was challenged to self-publish and sell 1,000 copies, I had no idea how to go about it. I just waded in, doing my best to choose the right printer for the paperback and then formatting my book according to their guidelines. Then, I realized I needed an ebook. You can read my <a href="http://jenniferbecton.blogspot.com/2010/09/e-book-tips-for-indie-authors.html">major ebook revelation</a> on this blog. I learned all about ebook formatting and subsequently uploaded the Kindle edition.<br />
<br />
Then came the pricing question.<br />
<br />
Pricing the paperback was fairly obvious. CreateSpace, my printer, has a handy little program that tells you how much the book costs to print and how much Amazon or other distributors take as their cut. Then, I looked at the other books in the Austen sequel market, which were all priced in a fairly tight range. So I priced my book high enough not to owe money on each purchase but also on the low end of my fellow Austen-sequelers.<br />
<br />
Pricing the ebook has been more difficult. Originally, I based my price on fellow Austen sequels, but the range was enormous: $.99 to $9.99! What is one to make of that? I just shot for the middle. As I did more research, I realized that many of these ebooks are suffering from <a href="http://jenniferbecton.blogspot.com/2010/11/vive-la-revolution.html">inflated prices</a> in an attempt to drive readers back to paperbacks. I don't want anything to do with that.<br />
<br />
While I certainly can't complain about my ebook sales, I'm now considering an experiment in pricing. What is the market determined price for ebooks? There are lots of opinions out there and probably the optimum price point varies by book, but here's the thing: I'll never know if I don't experiment.<br />
<br />
So today I dropped the price of my ebook--on both <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlotte-Collins-Continuation-Prejudice-ebook/dp/B0041G6MGK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1284605206&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> (although it takes up to 24 hours for the change to be made there) and <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/26595">Smashwords</a>--to what seems to be a proven price given current market conditions: $2.99. Will it be worth it? I have no idea. Will I lose money? I hope not. Will I make more sales? I hope so. <br />
<br />
In any case, I'm looking at this as a learning experience and an experiment in economics. I'll keep you updated on the results.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-53243730378265607472010-11-07T21:51:00.001-05:002010-11-08T01:50:53.941-05:00Writing Fear Free: NaNoWriMo Week 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdw-O_xIVKE9KzMeW8t69M-CvAtPoWojH5SYgqJdOUX-zBabElYQ5EkWLEYZY9qu4KnTeQCZKvwoKizdgbjZyQHVbi9M9L0vb9oPMJ9QBovlRAAenj3zn7_jdElBmNwjbyWTCR1nSO1I/s1600/nanowrimo_06_120x240.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdw-O_xIVKE9KzMeW8t69M-CvAtPoWojH5SYgqJdOUX-zBabElYQ5EkWLEYZY9qu4KnTeQCZKvwoKizdgbjZyQHVbi9M9L0vb9oPMJ9QBovlRAAenj3zn7_jdElBmNwjbyWTCR1nSO1I/s1600/nanowrimo_06_120x240.png" /></a></div>Writing is full of ups and downs, and more than likely, you've already experienced a little of both during the first week of NaNoWriMo. Unfortunately, you may experience more downs than ups this week. But take heart! It's all worth it in the end.<br />
<br />
As you begin this week, you'll likely be focusing on your novel's <strong>rising action</strong>. Last week, you introduced your characters, setting, and the problem they'll be dealing with. Now, things get worse. Much worse. <br />
<br />
Take your beloved main character and put her through the wringer. By the time you get done with her this week, she should be hanging onto sanity by a thread. <br />
<br />
And it's perfect timing too because you are also probably hanging onto sanity by a thread. The luster may have worn off this NaNoWriMo thing, and you are probably feeling the pull of the non-writing world: family, work, sleep, food. You'll be feeling frustrated if the words aren't pouring out the way they were last week. So take it out on your character. Vent your frustration. Use it. It'll be fun!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Week 2 Problem Zones and Potential Resolutions</strong></div><ul><li>Your inner editor shows up to point out everything you are doing wrong and reminds you that your book isn't going to win a Pulitzer. Well, duh! Cattle prod your inner editor back into her cage and remind her that you are writing to please yourself, and you'll worry about the Pulitzer committee during the editing phase if you so choose.</li>
<li>Believe it or not, the biggest temptation of this week will be <strong>writing what you hate to read</strong>. That does not seem to make sense. Why would anyone write what they hate to read? Well, usually what you hate to read is considered "good for you." You know the kinds of books I'm talking about. Avoid this at all costs; otherwise, you'll quickly lose interest in your writing. If you find yourself faced with this temptation, stop and make two lists: stuff I love to read and stuff I hate to read. Chris Baty's book calls this the Magna Carta and the Evil Magna Carta. Here's an example of my personal preferences:</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><u>Stuff I Love to Read</u></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">True love</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy endings</div><div style="text-align: center;">Unexpected plot twists</div><div style="text-align: center;">Quirky characters</div><div style="text-align: center;">Humor</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><u>Stuff I Hate to Read</u></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">Evil genius super villains</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fruity language</div><div style="text-align: center;">Unhappy endings</div><div style="text-align: center;">City settings</div><div style="text-align: center;">Heavy morality</div><div align="center">Floods that wipe out the whole town</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Those are snippets from my lists. Write your own and refer to them as you write this week and remember to write what you love, not what you hate!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-61516422327295803492010-11-05T01:48:00.002-04:002010-11-05T02:07:52.803-04:00Smashwords Revisited: It's a Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg365qF05OxI4xo3amFKp1dOG7gUgl-CLLbZMDQqtEATQz589Oa8OLncV2GeOH1MjA8JVMDc9iwq7BhIGL8_mJMQtfMILjreZ9TcslGWlVTVlmxbWnNrVQF2-Vl5UDpMbmaZ943Ti6MC-0/s1600/swlogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg365qF05OxI4xo3amFKp1dOG7gUgl-CLLbZMDQqtEATQz589Oa8OLncV2GeOH1MjA8JVMDc9iwq7BhIGL8_mJMQtfMILjreZ9TcslGWlVTVlmxbWnNrVQF2-Vl5UDpMbmaZ943Ti6MC-0/s1600/swlogo.png" /></a></div>If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I've been on the fence about Smashwords. See my posts about it <a href="http://jenniferbecton.blogspot.com/2010/10/charlotte-collins-goes-through.html">here</a> and <a href="http://jenniferbecton.blogspot.com/2010/10/having-second-thoughts.html">here</a>. My primary concern was that certain retailers--Kobo/Borders--were discounting books without the author's consent, which started a price war among all retailers. This meant that my book would be discounted universally without any input from me.<br />
<br />
Well, thanks to a little <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/about/beta">Smashwords site update</a> that I missed on October 21, my fears have been allayed. Due to a new deal between Smashwords and Kobo, they will be using the agency pricing model, meaning that authors and publishers get to set the price and no discounting will occur.<br />
<br />
This is great news for indie authors like me who are trying to set low prices and still make a living wage. So yippee for Smashwords and Kobo.<br />
<br />
The eBook of <em>Charlotte Collins</em> is now up for expanded distribution once again!<br />
<br />
And in honor of this new venue and distribution method and as a thank you to all my blog readers, <strong>this weekend only</strong>, you can get <em>Charlotte Collins</em> on any eBook platform for <strong>25 percent off</strong>! That means you can read <em>Charlotte </em>on almost any eReader, including Kindle, Nook, Sony, Palm, and--yes--even Kobo.<br />
<br />
Just go to <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/26595"><em>Charlotte Collins</em>'s page on Smashwords</a> and use <strong>coupon code JC28C</strong> at the checkout screen to get your discount.<br />
<br />
And in the words of Bartles and Jaymes, thank you for your support.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4932571276828838897.post-53176869140624239922010-11-04T00:35:00.000-04:002010-11-04T00:35:09.838-04:00An Addendum to Yesterday's Rant<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/1905_Fire_Wagon_wheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" px="true" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/1905_Fire_Wagon_wheel.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are book publishers going the way<br />
of the wagon wheel maker? Depends<br />
on what they do next.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After yesterday's overly dramatic rant, I hasten to add that I am not opposed to traditional publishers, and my ultimate goal is to publish both independently and traditionally. This seems to be the way to have the best of both: distribution and a living wage. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>While traditional publishing may be a part of my overall game plan, that doesn't mean I don't find it amazing, bizarre, and generally ridiculous to watch as they try to hang on to a business model that is so obviously going the way of the wagon wheel maker. Transportation didn't die out; it just changed. And those in the wagon wheel making industry had to change too. Same with the publishing world. Books aren't dying out; they are just changing. I hope to do business with publishers who understand this, while maintaining my own indie books as well.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.com0