1. Join a small publishers group. There are groups all over Canada and the United States, both at the local and the national level. Some you can interact with on the web and others hold monthly meetings. If you Google try several search terms: self-publisher, independent, small publishers. Try Yahoo’s group tab and search there as well; you’ll find some general and some specific to genre groups.
A couple of the biggies are: SPAN and IBPA both of which offer a lot of benefits for a yearly membership. Usually, if you join a smaller organization first (at a lower cost per year) you can get a reduced rate at these larger organizations—so join the smaller one first! Both SPAN and IBPA send out an excellent monthly newsletter and offer discounts with marketing, printing, distribution, shipping, etc. as well as personal benefits like group health insurance.
2. Check out related websites for newsletters and good solid information about self-publishing
Fern Reiss at The Publishing Game:
Lots of good articles and sign-up for newsletter
Pete Masterson at Aeonix Publishing Group
good articles
Marion Gropen’s blog
Blog posts that go back 2 years plus useful links
Publishing Poynter's Newsletter.
Full of tips and resources on book writing, publishing and promoting.
Book marketing tips and promotion ideas from John Kremer
Sign up for newsletter
Midwest Book Review has some great articles about book reviews
Review sites: check out the listing at The Finishers website
Publishing reference books: listing at the Finishers website: The Finishers.biz
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Self-Publishing Tips: Part III
by guest blogger Cynthia MacKinnon
In the previous posts I've focused on writing and producing a quality raw product and some of the background work that is involved. Let's focus on a different part of the process, the nuts and bolts that hold the novel together.
People self-publish for a variety of reasons and if you are considering this avenue in hopes of making some money while retaining control over all possible aspects of the novel you should have built the following items into your timeline:
1. ISBNs matter. Make your books your own. Don't use the ISBNs from a publishing resource, purchase them in your company's name. Go to Bowker and purchase a block of 10 ($275) or 100 ($995) or if you are really prolific 1000 ($1750). Bowker does allow for purchase of a single ISBN but at $125, the price is steep.
2. Register your titles at Books in Print. You will provide your company information to register and then the bibliographic data for each book. This process is not for the faint of heart, but be strong, you can do it!
3. Bar Codes: Bowker will provide bar codes, at a cost. If you are printing using POD (print on demand) techonology with Lightning Source, they provide the barcode at no cost. You can also use a free barcode service but watch for the quality, you may find that your printer nixes your cover because the barcode image isn't the right resolution or color or format.
4. Prepublication reviews: Most of the big review publications have a very strict timeline to follow, your ARC needs to be presented to them 12-16 weeks before the book's publication or else you lose any opportunity for the big review.
5. If you are opting for a printer (as opposed to POD) then factor time into the process. Never expect that your books will be printed in a week. 20 working days is the standard minimum, however, don't rely on that number either, always give yourself another couple of weeks leeway in case the printer is in a peak season or in case of a mechanical failure (this happened to the printing of Flashpoint, Frank Creed's debut novel, due to a technical problem the printing took almost 3 weeks longer than expected).
6. Don't take a breather while the novel is being printed, either for the review galleys or the published version, spend that time working on promotional material.
7. Check out cooperative marketing programs. These will save money and will gain exposure for your books. The reason I place this in the timeline section is because many cooperative mailings, catalogues, staffed exhibits have their own timeline. For instance, Ingram's catalogues are mailed out a few times per year and your title must be submitted to them at least 3 months in advance. Other catalogues focus on a specific genre or type of nonfiction book in specific months. For maximum exposure, check the details carefully.
8. Distribution: if you are looking to have your books distributed to a particular audience then you will need to be very selective when choosing a company to do this service. Also note that distributors have criteria when selecting which publisher they will do business with. Check websites and submission guidelines. It may take you some time before finding just the right fit.
9. Post-publication reviews: Far in advance of the publication date you should compile a list of possible reviewers and review sites. Google the subject of your book and find the review sites or blogs that are associated with the subject. As well, check the amazon reviewers for the same critieria.
-Compose a personalized email requesting the person/ site do a review of your book.
-Once you begin to receive affirmative replies, construct a database showing name, website or blog address, mailing address so you will be already to mail out the books at the right time.
-Have all your inserts/ promotional material ready to be placed in the packages then when the time comes, you will be able to work like an assembly line to get the review packages out.
Note: offering only pdf copies of books for review is not an excepted standard. However, you can add the suggestion within your solicitation email, e.g., . . . or if you'd prefer, I can email you a pdf of the book. Some reviewers will take you up on this, but most want the physical book in their hands.
In the next and final post I will feature resources for the self-publisher.
In the previous posts I've focused on writing and producing a quality raw product and some of the background work that is involved. Let's focus on a different part of the process, the nuts and bolts that hold the novel together.
People self-publish for a variety of reasons and if you are considering this avenue in hopes of making some money while retaining control over all possible aspects of the novel you should have built the following items into your timeline:
1. ISBNs matter. Make your books your own. Don't use the ISBNs from a publishing resource, purchase them in your company's name. Go to Bowker and purchase a block of 10 ($275) or 100 ($995) or if you are really prolific 1000 ($1750). Bowker does allow for purchase of a single ISBN but at $125, the price is steep.
2. Register your titles at Books in Print. You will provide your company information to register and then the bibliographic data for each book. This process is not for the faint of heart, but be strong, you can do it!
3. Bar Codes: Bowker will provide bar codes, at a cost. If you are printing using POD (print on demand) techonology with Lightning Source, they provide the barcode at no cost. You can also use a free barcode service but watch for the quality, you may find that your printer nixes your cover because the barcode image isn't the right resolution or color or format.
4. Prepublication reviews: Most of the big review publications have a very strict timeline to follow, your ARC needs to be presented to them 12-16 weeks before the book's publication or else you lose any opportunity for the big review.
5. If you are opting for a printer (as opposed to POD) then factor time into the process. Never expect that your books will be printed in a week. 20 working days is the standard minimum, however, don't rely on that number either, always give yourself another couple of weeks leeway in case the printer is in a peak season or in case of a mechanical failure (this happened to the printing of Flashpoint, Frank Creed's debut novel, due to a technical problem the printing took almost 3 weeks longer than expected).
6. Don't take a breather while the novel is being printed, either for the review galleys or the published version, spend that time working on promotional material.
7. Check out cooperative marketing programs. These will save money and will gain exposure for your books. The reason I place this in the timeline section is because many cooperative mailings, catalogues, staffed exhibits have their own timeline. For instance, Ingram's catalogues are mailed out a few times per year and your title must be submitted to them at least 3 months in advance. Other catalogues focus on a specific genre or type of nonfiction book in specific months. For maximum exposure, check the details carefully.
8. Distribution: if you are looking to have your books distributed to a particular audience then you will need to be very selective when choosing a company to do this service. Also note that distributors have criteria when selecting which publisher they will do business with. Check websites and submission guidelines. It may take you some time before finding just the right fit.
9. Post-publication reviews: Far in advance of the publication date you should compile a list of possible reviewers and review sites. Google the subject of your book and find the review sites or blogs that are associated with the subject. As well, check the amazon reviewers for the same critieria.
-Compose a personalized email requesting the person/ site do a review of your book.
-Once you begin to receive affirmative replies, construct a database showing name, website or blog address, mailing address so you will be already to mail out the books at the right time.
-Have all your inserts/ promotional material ready to be placed in the packages then when the time comes, you will be able to work like an assembly line to get the review packages out.
Note: offering only pdf copies of books for review is not an excepted standard. However, you can add the suggestion within your solicitation email, e.g., . . . or if you'd prefer, I can email you a pdf of the book. Some reviewers will take you up on this, but most want the physical book in their hands.
In the next and final post I will feature resources for the self-publisher.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Amazon Bestseller: Feel the Realness
No writing tip this week, but I'm under orders to share what holding a top genre sales ranking feels like.
This is a type of question that always glazes my eyes. What does it feel like to—fill in the blank—be published, win fiction awards, or hold a number one ranking. I’ve wanted these things since one Ford was in the Oval Office, and another Ford was still building Torinos. I still can’t believe that fiction I wrote is available in book form, so experiences like last Tuesday’s are very surreal to me.
Tuesday, May 12th Michael Vance, author of the Lovecraftian horror braided-novel Weird Horror Tales, posted his five-star rave review of my first novel Flashpoint, at several places on the Web. I headed over to my Amazon profile, when my eyes literally bugged. Mr. Vance’s review is the only thing I can credit for a sales-spike that took Flashpoint to the top of Amazon’s religion—fiction—fantasy/ sci-fi genre ranking.
Every author travels the writer’s sojourn. But every step on this path is as unique as one’s writing voice, so answering these how-does-it-feel questions elicits a range of replies. Even though I’ve long held a too-mystical wonder of, and reverence for, books, I still can’t believe these dreams have come true. Tuesday must have been a very-slow-sales day for everyone else.
A friend alerted me to Goodreads.com list of the top 1000 books a Christian should read. http://tinyurl.com/pq8g8l I When I pass C.S. Lewis and John Bunyan on that list, I’ll know I’m dreaming!
This is a type of question that always glazes my eyes. What does it feel like to—fill in the blank—be published, win fiction awards, or hold a number one ranking. I’ve wanted these things since one Ford was in the Oval Office, and another Ford was still building Torinos. I still can’t believe that fiction I wrote is available in book form, so experiences like last Tuesday’s are very surreal to me.
Tuesday, May 12th Michael Vance, author of the Lovecraftian horror braided-novel Weird Horror Tales, posted his five-star rave review of my first novel Flashpoint, at several places on the Web. I headed over to my Amazon profile, when my eyes literally bugged. Mr. Vance’s review is the only thing I can credit for a sales-spike that took Flashpoint to the top of Amazon’s religion—fiction—fantasy/ sci-fi genre ranking.
Every author travels the writer’s sojourn. But every step on this path is as unique as one’s writing voice, so answering these how-does-it-feel questions elicits a range of replies. Even though I’ve long held a too-mystical wonder of, and reverence for, books, I still can’t believe these dreams have come true. Tuesday must have been a very-slow-sales day for everyone else.
A friend alerted me to Goodreads.com list of the top 1000 books a Christian should read. http://tinyurl.com/pq8g8l I When I pass C.S. Lewis and John Bunyan on that list, I’ll know I’m dreaming!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Self-Publishing Tips Part II
by guest blogger, Cynthia MacKinnon
In the last post on self-publishing tips I emphasized the importance of treating your book just as would a big publisher. Put it through all the necessary steps—as time and energy consuming as they may be—your book is worth it!
You will probably see a pattern with my "best practice" suggestions: hire a professional to do the work for you. Now, I am not stumping my own services—I don't have the time to take on contract work! but I am providing the best advice available. At least consider professional services for your first book; then learn from these folks and perhaps cut down on the costs on a later project. It can also save you money, believe it or not. The programs and resources you will need to professionally dyi are expensive and printing companies are adamant about the types of files they receive.
And now further must-dos of self-publishing:
4. A picture is worth a thousand words. Books are judged by their covers, like it or not and you want your book to stand out from the shelf. The sure sign of a s.p. book is an amateur cover. Now, you'll never find an entire group of readers who'll love the same cover, everyone has different taste, right? However, your cover better appeal or at least be presentable to most book buyers or the book will never stand a chance.
NOTE: I am not a writer so I am excused . . . but you'd better not use all the clichés I just did!
Best Practice: Hire a good cover designer, solicit recommendations from other authors or publishers. Do you like the style of a published book's cover? then check the copyright page and you will likely find the name and website of the cover designer.
Acceptable Practice: Use the industry standard Adobe programs like InDesign and Photoshop to design your cover. Don't know how to use them? take lessons from a site like VTC; they even have some freebies to get you started. Can't afford the big ticket price? check online for used copies. Adobe is forever updating their products and usually, once one has the newest version, there is no need for the earlier one which may be only 2 years old and still very reliable.
Bad Practice: I can use the free cover maker at the POD site. They have at least 18 backgrounds and then I can get some images from the free photo site! Yeah, and you and a thousand other people will have that same background that everyone can point to and say, hey! they used the free cover maker at . . . Remember, I said your cover needs to stand out from the crowd?
5. The interior of a book must look professional. From the title page and copyright page to the individual chapters and the ads at the back. You need to spend the time to adjust the pages, make sure there are no widows or orphans (and don't use the widows and orphans feature, edit the text), make sure the page count starts where it is supposed to start, don't put headers on the initial chapter page or any of the non-story pages . . . and on and on. Make the interior of your book as beautiful as the words it contains.
Best Practice: Hire someone to do the page layout; believe me it worth the time and frustration of trying to dyi.
Bad Practice: I can just use [shudder] MS Word or OpenOffice. (by the way, if you do use MS Word and are having trouble with page numbering (i.e./ not all pages should have numbers printed), then check out this tutorial: Instant Publisher.
More tips in the next post
In the last post on self-publishing tips I emphasized the importance of treating your book just as would a big publisher. Put it through all the necessary steps—as time and energy consuming as they may be—your book is worth it!
You will probably see a pattern with my "best practice" suggestions: hire a professional to do the work for you. Now, I am not stumping my own services—I don't have the time to take on contract work! but I am providing the best advice available. At least consider professional services for your first book; then learn from these folks and perhaps cut down on the costs on a later project. It can also save you money, believe it or not. The programs and resources you will need to professionally dyi are expensive and printing companies are adamant about the types of files they receive.
And now further must-dos of self-publishing:
4. A picture is worth a thousand words. Books are judged by their covers, like it or not and you want your book to stand out from the shelf. The sure sign of a s.p. book is an amateur cover. Now, you'll never find an entire group of readers who'll love the same cover, everyone has different taste, right? However, your cover better appeal or at least be presentable to most book buyers or the book will never stand a chance.
NOTE: I am not a writer so I am excused . . . but you'd better not use all the clichés I just did!
Best Practice: Hire a good cover designer, solicit recommendations from other authors or publishers. Do you like the style of a published book's cover? then check the copyright page and you will likely find the name and website of the cover designer.
Acceptable Practice: Use the industry standard Adobe programs like InDesign and Photoshop to design your cover. Don't know how to use them? take lessons from a site like VTC; they even have some freebies to get you started. Can't afford the big ticket price? check online for used copies. Adobe is forever updating their products and usually, once one has the newest version, there is no need for the earlier one which may be only 2 years old and still very reliable.
Bad Practice: I can use the free cover maker at the POD site. They have at least 18 backgrounds and then I can get some images from the free photo site! Yeah, and you and a thousand other people will have that same background that everyone can point to and say, hey! they used the free cover maker at . . . Remember, I said your cover needs to stand out from the crowd?
5. The interior of a book must look professional. From the title page and copyright page to the individual chapters and the ads at the back. You need to spend the time to adjust the pages, make sure there are no widows or orphans (and don't use the widows and orphans feature, edit the text), make sure the page count starts where it is supposed to start, don't put headers on the initial chapter page or any of the non-story pages . . . and on and on. Make the interior of your book as beautiful as the words it contains.
Best Practice: Hire someone to do the page layout; believe me it worth the time and frustration of trying to dyi.
Bad Practice: I can just use [shudder] MS Word or OpenOffice. (by the way, if you do use MS Word and are having trouble with page numbering (i.e./ not all pages should have numbers printed), then check out this tutorial: Instant Publisher.
More tips in the next post
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Self-Publishing Tips
by guest blogger Cynthia MacKinnon
Terri Main of the Wayfarers Journal has written an excellent post "Self Publishing: Everybody's Right—Sort of" discussing the truth and myth of self-publishing. Ms Main's essay sparked an idea to address the problems with self-publishing, a sort of primer for authors considering this avenue for getting their book out there.
Note: Some of what I say below was originally from the comments I made at Wayfarers Journal.
There have been some great successes in self-publishing (most recently, The Shack) and these bring much hope to all writers.
There are many successful (by my standards, not by those of the big publishing houses) self-published books but by a large majority, these are non-fiction books that appeal to a niche market.
Self-publishing has an important role to play in the marketplace because it can produce reading material that is not found elsewhere. I am thinking specifically of the kind of Christian speculative fiction that big houses won't touch because of its risk.
For the most part their market is a homogeneous one (and a wonderful group of people) and although it is a mistake to state unequivocally that they won't like the daring type of Christian speculative fiction, for the most part their tastes lie elsewhere. It doesn't make good business sense, the big guys say, to take the risk.
So along comes the self-publishing option. It does have a bad reputation (though this trend is reversing) and in many cases it is deserved.
The only way to circumvent popular opinion is to prove the naysayers wrong. An author needs to put his/ her novel through as stringent and demanding a process as it would experience with a publisher.
If you don't approach publishing houses with your ms because you are pretty certain they won't like the genre or some of the content, that's perfectly okay (though it never hurts to try). But, don't use s.p. as an easy way out or a shortcut to the bestseller list.
Think like a publisher, after all, you are now one.
Here are some tips:
1. Write up that query, that proposal, that summary and synopsis. Get feedback on it; perfect it. Then, use it for your promotional materials.
Best Practice: hire yourself a publicist.
Acceptable Practice: Find good reference materials. There are a number of book query/ proposal books available, check your local library or purchase a copy online (you can always pick up used copies at amazon or B&N for really good prices).
Bad Practice: Do nothing, after all, I don't need a query or proposal to publish my own book!
2. Plan your book publication. Along with a marketing plan and budget, draw up a timeline . . . and be generous.
Best Practice: Hire the services of a publishing mentor who charges by the hour. They'll walk you through the process and answer the myriad of questions you should have. You'll also get the advantage of their experiences, good and bad.
Acceptable Practice: Purchase self-publishing resources. A recommended book is Peter Bowerman's Well Fed Self Publisher although many of his experiences have been with non-fiction, the basics are all there. Check the offerings Dan Poynter has at his ParaPublishing website. You can even order free booklets chock full of great information.
Bad Practice: Timeline? as soon as my book is written I will use POD tech and get it out to amazon. Timeline = 1 day.
3. Make sure your book is as well-written as it can possibly be! No-brainer? Show the world that s.p. doesn't equal poor quality. Every author needs the perspective and distance from their work that only comes from a second or third party.
Best Practice: Have your book professionally polished including critique, edit and proofreading.
Acceptable Practice: Many self-publishers depend on their friend's proofreading skills and a bunch of critiques done by well-intentioned folks who have no real stake in the success of the book nor have the time to do a really thorough job. Then they pay for an edit and find that either the edit costs a great deal more than anticipated because the book hasn't seen enough drafts, or the editor pulls his hair out and is reluctant to do business with the author again.
Worst Practice: I am a good proofreader and I know what I like. Oh yeah, I used spell AND grammar check on my wordprocessor and my aunt says it is the best book she's ever read.
Next time I'll talk about cover design and book layouts.
Terri Main of the Wayfarers Journal has written an excellent post "Self Publishing: Everybody's Right—Sort of" discussing the truth and myth of self-publishing. Ms Main's essay sparked an idea to address the problems with self-publishing, a sort of primer for authors considering this avenue for getting their book out there.
Note: Some of what I say below was originally from the comments I made at Wayfarers Journal.
There have been some great successes in self-publishing (most recently, The Shack) and these bring much hope to all writers.
There are many successful (by my standards, not by those of the big publishing houses) self-published books but by a large majority, these are non-fiction books that appeal to a niche market.
Self-publishing has an important role to play in the marketplace because it can produce reading material that is not found elsewhere. I am thinking specifically of the kind of Christian speculative fiction that big houses won't touch because of its risk.
For the most part their market is a homogeneous one (and a wonderful group of people) and although it is a mistake to state unequivocally that they won't like the daring type of Christian speculative fiction, for the most part their tastes lie elsewhere. It doesn't make good business sense, the big guys say, to take the risk.
So along comes the self-publishing option. It does have a bad reputation (though this trend is reversing) and in many cases it is deserved.
The only way to circumvent popular opinion is to prove the naysayers wrong. An author needs to put his/ her novel through as stringent and demanding a process as it would experience with a publisher.
If you don't approach publishing houses with your ms because you are pretty certain they won't like the genre or some of the content, that's perfectly okay (though it never hurts to try). But, don't use s.p. as an easy way out or a shortcut to the bestseller list.
Think like a publisher, after all, you are now one.
Here are some tips:
1. Write up that query, that proposal, that summary and synopsis. Get feedback on it; perfect it. Then, use it for your promotional materials.
Best Practice: hire yourself a publicist.
Acceptable Practice: Find good reference materials. There are a number of book query/ proposal books available, check your local library or purchase a copy online (you can always pick up used copies at amazon or B&N for really good prices).
Bad Practice: Do nothing, after all, I don't need a query or proposal to publish my own book!
2. Plan your book publication. Along with a marketing plan and budget, draw up a timeline . . . and be generous.
Best Practice: Hire the services of a publishing mentor who charges by the hour. They'll walk you through the process and answer the myriad of questions you should have. You'll also get the advantage of their experiences, good and bad.
Acceptable Practice: Purchase self-publishing resources. A recommended book is Peter Bowerman's Well Fed Self Publisher although many of his experiences have been with non-fiction, the basics are all there. Check the offerings Dan Poynter has at his ParaPublishing website. You can even order free booklets chock full of great information.
Bad Practice: Timeline? as soon as my book is written I will use POD tech and get it out to amazon. Timeline = 1 day.
3. Make sure your book is as well-written as it can possibly be! No-brainer? Show the world that s.p. doesn't equal poor quality. Every author needs the perspective and distance from their work that only comes from a second or third party.
Best Practice: Have your book professionally polished including critique, edit and proofreading.
Acceptable Practice: Many self-publishers depend on their friend's proofreading skills and a bunch of critiques done by well-intentioned folks who have no real stake in the success of the book nor have the time to do a really thorough job. Then they pay for an edit and find that either the edit costs a great deal more than anticipated because the book hasn't seen enough drafts, or the editor pulls his hair out and is reluctant to do business with the author again.
Worst Practice: I am a good proofreader and I know what I like. Oh yeah, I used spell AND grammar check on my wordprocessor and my aunt says it is the best book she's ever read.
Next time I'll talk about cover design and book layouts.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
PoV Part II: Guest Blogger Terri Main
I've recently seen Reedley College instructor and author Terri Main write great PoV tips, and invited her to share them here. Enjoy!--f
In the last blog entry, we looked at the different types of point of view and discussed some issues related to terminology. After reading that, you may be wondering about how to apply this information. You may be asking, "How do I choose a point of view for my story?"
I won't offer any easy answer here. Writing is an art. Artists rely as much on instinct as they do on skill. However, you need to answer four questions when choosing a point of view.
What mood do you want to convey to the reader?
Different points of view impact a reader differently. Third Person Objective (whether general or limited) creates a sense of detachment. The reader stands outside the window staring in as the story unfolds. Sometimes this sense of detachment, even alienation, is what you want to convey. Existentialist writers use the point of view frequently to communicate a feeling of isolation.
The third and first person (main character) limited points of view tend to bring a reader closer to the main character. We get an inside look at their moods, thoughts, attitudes, dreams, hopes and fears. We crawl into their skin and look out their eyes at the story.
The oblique point of view treads a line between purely objective and complete immersion into the main character. By seeing the story unfold through the eyes of a minor character, we have some distance without having a sense of detachment. This doesn't mean that it is a "happy medium." The reader will begin to identify with this outsider if that person plays a major role in the unfolding of the story stealing the spotlight from the main character.
What is your level of writing skill?
Most beginning writers need to stick to either first person main character or third person limited. The other points of view tend to be difficult for even accomplished writers to handle well. Trying to write in the omniscient point of view while still learning you craft, is like trying to jump a car while still learning to drive.
Even if you have been writing for awhile, think twice before going for the less popular and more complicated points of view. Write a scene in two different points of view. Read them. Have others read them. Which reads better? Which creates the mood you want to create? Which do other people enjoy most? You don’t want to be 100 pages into a story only to discover you can't handle that point of view.
How will this affect the portrayal of this character?
I cannot imagine the Sherlock Holmes stories being written in first person by Holmes. Holmes is brilliant, but also conceited, a drug addict and a misogynist. From the outside perspective of Watson, we can forgive his failings and see his brilliance. However, hearing Holmes in his own voice say how smart he is and how impatient he is with people not as smart as him would not endear us to this complicated character.
How will this affect the marketability of the book?
I purposely did not put this first since it should not, from an artistic perspective, be your first consideration. However, writers are businesspeople as well as artists. Certain genres more or less demand a certain point of view. Be sure you understand your genre first. If 85% of the books written in that genre are main character first person, then you need to write in that perspective. Overall, third person objective and omniscient points of view are out of favor. Likewise, few writers use the oblique point of view. First person main character and third person subjective limited are most common.
Ultimately, you choose the point of view which works best for your story, your genre and your own personal writing style. However, answering these four questions help you make a wise choice.
By Terri Main
Author of Creative Calisthenics: Workout for the Writer's Imagination. Hints and tips at CreativeCalisthenics.com ( http://www.creativecalisthenics.com )
Science Fiction with a Difference: WayfarersJournal.com
Study the Bible at Bible Study Central http://www.biblestudycentral.net
In the last blog entry, we looked at the different types of point of view and discussed some issues related to terminology. After reading that, you may be wondering about how to apply this information. You may be asking, "How do I choose a point of view for my story?"
I won't offer any easy answer here. Writing is an art. Artists rely as much on instinct as they do on skill. However, you need to answer four questions when choosing a point of view.
What mood do you want to convey to the reader?
Different points of view impact a reader differently. Third Person Objective (whether general or limited) creates a sense of detachment. The reader stands outside the window staring in as the story unfolds. Sometimes this sense of detachment, even alienation, is what you want to convey. Existentialist writers use the point of view frequently to communicate a feeling of isolation.
The third and first person (main character) limited points of view tend to bring a reader closer to the main character. We get an inside look at their moods, thoughts, attitudes, dreams, hopes and fears. We crawl into their skin and look out their eyes at the story.
The oblique point of view treads a line between purely objective and complete immersion into the main character. By seeing the story unfold through the eyes of a minor character, we have some distance without having a sense of detachment. This doesn't mean that it is a "happy medium." The reader will begin to identify with this outsider if that person plays a major role in the unfolding of the story stealing the spotlight from the main character.
What is your level of writing skill?
Most beginning writers need to stick to either first person main character or third person limited. The other points of view tend to be difficult for even accomplished writers to handle well. Trying to write in the omniscient point of view while still learning you craft, is like trying to jump a car while still learning to drive.
Even if you have been writing for awhile, think twice before going for the less popular and more complicated points of view. Write a scene in two different points of view. Read them. Have others read them. Which reads better? Which creates the mood you want to create? Which do other people enjoy most? You don’t want to be 100 pages into a story only to discover you can't handle that point of view.
How will this affect the portrayal of this character?
I cannot imagine the Sherlock Holmes stories being written in first person by Holmes. Holmes is brilliant, but also conceited, a drug addict and a misogynist. From the outside perspective of Watson, we can forgive his failings and see his brilliance. However, hearing Holmes in his own voice say how smart he is and how impatient he is with people not as smart as him would not endear us to this complicated character.
How will this affect the marketability of the book?
I purposely did not put this first since it should not, from an artistic perspective, be your first consideration. However, writers are businesspeople as well as artists. Certain genres more or less demand a certain point of view. Be sure you understand your genre first. If 85% of the books written in that genre are main character first person, then you need to write in that perspective. Overall, third person objective and omniscient points of view are out of favor. Likewise, few writers use the oblique point of view. First person main character and third person subjective limited are most common.
Ultimately, you choose the point of view which works best for your story, your genre and your own personal writing style. However, answering these four questions help you make a wise choice.
By Terri Main
Author of Creative Calisthenics: Workout for the Writer's Imagination. Hints and tips at CreativeCalisthenics.com ( http://www.creativecalisthenics.com )
Science Fiction with a Difference: WayfarersJournal.com
Study the Bible at Bible Study Central http://www.biblestudycentral.net
Saturday, April 11, 2009
PoV Part I: Guest Blogger Terri Main
I've recently seen Reedley College instructor and author Terri Main write great PoV tips, and invited her to share them here. Enjoy!--f
Three people go to the symphony on a Saturday night. The first is a music critic who sits at the precise place in the balcony where the acoustics is perfect. The second is the mother of the piano soloist sitting on the front row. The third is the conductor of the orchestra. Each of these experiences the same performance, but if they wrote about it, the stories would vary widely. Each had a different perspective. In writing we call this "Point of View."
The ideas and terminology surrounding the discussion of point of view confuse many beginning writers. They hear terms like "deep third person," "head hopping," "omniscient point of view," and wonder what all these terms mean.
Unfortunately, even good solid writers don't always use the right terminology or at least the accepted literary criticism terminology. And many subdivide (appropriately) certain types of point of view, but give them names in their own teaching which do not exist in the taxonomy of literary scholarship, but get picked up and propagated through the internet as if it was an accepted term. For instance, "deep third person" is simply Third Person Subjective. However, in practice the teaching on this is using TPS in such a way as to emphasize thoughts and feelings a bit more than actions. But that's not point of view. That's writing technique.
Think about point of view as where the reader stands relative to the main characters. Like those at the symphony, each point of view tells a different story. Here are seven common types of points of view.
First Person - Main Character: The reader is inside the main character as he or she narrates the story.
First Person - Oblique. The reader is inside a minor character who narrates the story.
Third Person - Limited – Objective. The reader walks with the main character while an anonymous narrator narrates the story. The reader is not privy to this character's thoughts. This is like a TV camera following the main character around. The reader only learns of the emotions, opinions, attitudes or thoughts through dialog, facial expressions or actions. For instance, you would not say, "George saw snakes on the ground and recoiled inside. George hated snakes." You would say, "George saw the snakes. Beads of sweat popped out on his brow. He took a step back and muttered, 'I hate snakes.'"
Third Person - Limited - Subjective (AKA Third Person Subjective and Deep Third Person) The reader stands beside the main character while an anonymous narrator tells the story. The reader is privy to the main characters thoughts, feelings, opinions and attitudes. However, the reader does not have this insight into any other character.
Third Person - General - Omniscient. The reader stands on Mt. Olympus looking down at the action, but able to descend into any individual to know their thoughts, feelings and attitudes. Very difficult to handle well. When handled poorly, this is called "head hopping."
Third Person - General - Objective. The reader stands on Mt. Olympus looking down at the action, but stays there. She or he knows nothing about anyone's thoughts, memories, attitudes, emotions or history unless expressed through dialog or action. Both third person general points of view have fallen out of favor with editors in our time. They are also both very hard for an inexperienced writer to handle well.
Multiple Points of View. Usually found in novels, the point of view changes with the scene or chapter. However, in most cases only the character changes and not the point of view itself. In other words, Chapter 1 may be Third Person Subjective with John as the point of view character. Chapter 2 might be TPS with Mary as the point of view character. Only rarely do you find Chapter 1 with First Person main character focused on John and then Chapter 2 being omniscient and Chapter 3 being Third Person Subjective with Mary as the point of view characters. In using multiple points of view, be sure you have a clear shift of scene before shifting your point of view.
Now, I added the detail of limited and general which not all scholars would add. I added them here for clarity. However, this is not a list for you to learn the terms, but to learn the ideas. As said before different people will use different terms for the same thing. The terminology is less important than the concepts and their application. Tomorrow, we'll talk about application.
By Terri Main
Author of Creative Calisthenics: Workout for the Writer's Imagination. Hints and tips at CreativeCalisthenics.com ( http://www.creativecalisthenics.com )
Science Fiction with a Difference: WayfarersJournal.com
Study the Bible at Bible Study Central http://www.biblestudycentral.net/
Three people go to the symphony on a Saturday night. The first is a music critic who sits at the precise place in the balcony where the acoustics is perfect. The second is the mother of the piano soloist sitting on the front row. The third is the conductor of the orchestra. Each of these experiences the same performance, but if they wrote about it, the stories would vary widely. Each had a different perspective. In writing we call this "Point of View."
The ideas and terminology surrounding the discussion of point of view confuse many beginning writers. They hear terms like "deep third person," "head hopping," "omniscient point of view," and wonder what all these terms mean.
Unfortunately, even good solid writers don't always use the right terminology or at least the accepted literary criticism terminology. And many subdivide (appropriately) certain types of point of view, but give them names in their own teaching which do not exist in the taxonomy of literary scholarship, but get picked up and propagated through the internet as if it was an accepted term. For instance, "deep third person" is simply Third Person Subjective. However, in practice the teaching on this is using TPS in such a way as to emphasize thoughts and feelings a bit more than actions. But that's not point of view. That's writing technique.
Think about point of view as where the reader stands relative to the main characters. Like those at the symphony, each point of view tells a different story. Here are seven common types of points of view.
First Person - Main Character: The reader is inside the main character as he or she narrates the story.
First Person - Oblique. The reader is inside a minor character who narrates the story.
Third Person - Limited – Objective. The reader walks with the main character while an anonymous narrator narrates the story. The reader is not privy to this character's thoughts. This is like a TV camera following the main character around. The reader only learns of the emotions, opinions, attitudes or thoughts through dialog, facial expressions or actions. For instance, you would not say, "George saw snakes on the ground and recoiled inside. George hated snakes." You would say, "George saw the snakes. Beads of sweat popped out on his brow. He took a step back and muttered, 'I hate snakes.'"
Third Person - Limited - Subjective (AKA Third Person Subjective and Deep Third Person) The reader stands beside the main character while an anonymous narrator tells the story. The reader is privy to the main characters thoughts, feelings, opinions and attitudes. However, the reader does not have this insight into any other character.
Third Person - General - Omniscient. The reader stands on Mt. Olympus looking down at the action, but able to descend into any individual to know their thoughts, feelings and attitudes. Very difficult to handle well. When handled poorly, this is called "head hopping."
Third Person - General - Objective. The reader stands on Mt. Olympus looking down at the action, but stays there. She or he knows nothing about anyone's thoughts, memories, attitudes, emotions or history unless expressed through dialog or action. Both third person general points of view have fallen out of favor with editors in our time. They are also both very hard for an inexperienced writer to handle well.
Multiple Points of View. Usually found in novels, the point of view changes with the scene or chapter. However, in most cases only the character changes and not the point of view itself. In other words, Chapter 1 may be Third Person Subjective with John as the point of view character. Chapter 2 might be TPS with Mary as the point of view character. Only rarely do you find Chapter 1 with First Person main character focused on John and then Chapter 2 being omniscient and Chapter 3 being Third Person Subjective with Mary as the point of view characters. In using multiple points of view, be sure you have a clear shift of scene before shifting your point of view.
Now, I added the detail of limited and general which not all scholars would add. I added them here for clarity. However, this is not a list for you to learn the terms, but to learn the ideas. As said before different people will use different terms for the same thing. The terminology is less important than the concepts and their application. Tomorrow, we'll talk about application.
By Terri Main
Author of Creative Calisthenics: Workout for the Writer's Imagination. Hints and tips at CreativeCalisthenics.com ( http://www.creativecalisthenics.com )
Science Fiction with a Difference: WayfarersJournal.com
Study the Bible at Bible Study Central http://www.biblestudycentral.net/
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