ProActive Blog
How to Write Your Memoir
by ProActive Writer's Group on 03/11/23
There are as many ways to write a
memoir as there are people. This is your story. While others may share memories
of the event, only you can know how YOU perceived it. Only you can tell it from
your perspective. Just write it.
Like any book, there needs to be a message or a lesson. There will be research. Accuracy is important in any book. You will learn more about the main character (yourself) as you write. Your memoir is a personal journey. That journey will be best received if it is written in your voice – straight from the heart. Write as if you were talking to a friend, or musing to yourself.
What you have to say is irrelevant if you don’t write it down. Many people WANT to write their memoirs, but they never start. They get hung up on the idea that they are not writers. Nonsense. If you write; you are a writer. So, write!
In the beginning, don’t worry about your audience. Don’t
even think about them until the first two chapters are written. Just write.
Formatting, editing and structuring can wait until you know where you are
going. You might feel like you are running in circles, and you might be, but
that can easily be fixed.
When the first two chapters are written, stop and read them
from the perspective of the reader. Don’t worry about the spelling or grammar.
What is the overall mood and direction?
The reason this works so well is because it is your
voice. This is your style. Embrace it, even if it is different from what you
have ever read. There is no right or wrong style. It is yours alone. If the
editing is done correctly, your readers will quickly become accustomed to your
style, regardless of what it is.
Don’t panic if you don’t know. If you are confused about
your direction, just set it aside and think about it for a few days or a week.
Don’t wait a month, though. Haste makes waste, but procrastination often leads
to defeat. You can do this if you don’t give up.
Sometimes our perception of things changes when we write it
down or think of it from another viewpoint. The fact that your perception has
changed doesn’t mean you have to start over. Examine what made you think
differently and use it to improve the memoir. You may discover that there is a
more important message than your original thought.
Satisfied with the overall direction? Now, write it on an
index card and keep looking at it as you write the book. It is easy to slide
off the trail and get lost on your journey. It happens to the best writers.
Alpha and Beta Readers
by ProActive Writer's Group on 03/03/22
Writing a book requires more than talent. It requires weeks,
months and often years of dedicated work. Even fiction books require research for
authenticity. Regardless of research and self-editing, sometimes even the
simplest mistakes can be overlooked. The writer already knows the story, so it
is easy to skip something vital.
You may want someone to read your story before you complete
it, or after you've completed your first draft. This person is an alpha reader.
They aren't looking for grammar and spelling errors. They are looking at
content. Does the story flow? Is it logical?
Once you have completed your book and made the changes the
alpha reader suggested, you are ready for a beta reader. Beta readers are
looking, not only at the content, but for grammar and spelling errors as well.
Beta readers help you polish your book and get it ready to send to a publisher.
So, where do you find alpha and beta readers, and how much
do they cost? Often, they are free, but if you can't find someone, there are
online services like Fiverr.com and Upwork.com where you can select the person
and the service you require. Depending on the service and the length of your
manuscript, the cost may range from $50 to $200 or more.
A good alpha reader may be free and as close as friends and
relatives. Alpha readers don't need to be experts on writing, but they should
be readers. Beta readers should have good grammar and spelling as well. If you
use a friend or relative, make sure they feel comfortable about being
completely honest. The downfall of this choice is that often friends and
relatives are concerned about discouraging you or hurting your feelings. It is
best to have more than one reader – even 4 or 5, but too many readers can cause
confusion and conflicting opinions.
Many authors often read each other's manuscripts. Their
feedback can be more pertinent. You will probably want to swap with an author
who has a compatible writing style and writes in your genre.
The best source, if it is available in your area, may be
critique groups. Critique group members are generally authors who are willing
to help other authors. You will probably have more qualified and diversified
assistance there, as there are likely to be published authors in various genres
present. Critique groups can be helpful even if you haven't started your book
yet.
On that note, Elkins Public Library in Elkins Arkansas is
starting a critique group. Meetings are the 2nd Saturday of every month from 10
am until noon. The meetings are free and open to the public. For more
information, contact the library at (479)
643-2904 elkinspubliclibrary@gmail.com
or Linda Rigsbee via email at lindarigsbee@gmail.com
Linda Rigsbee, Author
Self-Publishing Competition
by ProActive Writer's Group on 02/11/22
In my last blog, I compared self-publishing to opening a
book store when there are already three on the block. On average, around 2,700
new titles are self-published every day. That's a lot of competition! Your book
will have to take its place, not only in books published that day, but in books
published before yours – millions of books. Writing competition is so
overwhelming that you'd better provide something different or unique.
So, how do you compete? To that, I will ask another question. Do you really want to compete? This goes back to your goals. If this book is for friends and family, then your answer is probably no. If you want to be a long-term best-seller, then the answer is yes. There is a lot of distance between these two goals and the majority of writers are going to fall in that area.
Did you know there are many good writers who never publish a
book? Publishing is a lot of work and marketing can be a real headache. The
fact that someone has never been published doesn't reflect badly on their
writing skill. Nor does publishing assure they are a good writer.
When I began writing, there were only two viable ways to
publish; traditionally or vanity press. It was called vanity press because it
was assumed that self-published writers simply wanted to see their name in
print and they were willing to pay for that privilege. Self-publishing was looked
down on then for the same reason it is now. Anyone can publish anything, only
now they can do it for free.
Many famous writers got started by self-publishing. Steven
King is one. It wasn't his writing skills that caused rejection of his
manuscripts. It was the content. Publishers didn't want to take the risk with
something they thought their readers might not like. Self-publishing isn't the
problem any more than censoring is the solution. By self-publishing, King
opened a whole new genre, as have other self-published authors.
Apply this analogy to the idea of three bookstores on the
block. Competition is not a bad thing. It forces us to produce better quality
and be creative. With all those books being published daily, it is important that
each book delivers quality time for the customer.
Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing
by ProActive Writer's Group on 02/08/22
You've finished your book and now you want to publish it.
Should you use a traditional publisher or self-publish? First, ask yourself
what you want to accomplish with this book.
Is your goal simply getting your book in print for friends
and family or are you hoping for a best-seller? How much work are you willing
to put into marketing? Maybe money isn't as important as making it available to
the public. Are you willing to invest money, or are you publishing on a
shoestring budget?
On a side note, getting a rejection from these publishing
companies doesn't necessarily mean your manuscript needs work – not any more
than having it accepted means that it is flawless. These companies are in the
business of selling books and your subject or delivery may not be what they
feel is selling at that time. If your book doesn't sell, they lose money too.
If you want to focus on writing and let someone else make
the decisions about things like cover design and marketing, the best method for
you may be traditional publishing. Traditional publishers provide editing,
cover design, printing and marketing.
The author may have little or no influence in changes the
editor wants them to make, cover design or marketing methods. The publisher
sets the publishing date and book price. The author signs a contract that may
last for years. If this is the only book you intend to write, you might want to
take that into consideration.
While the publishing costs are usually covered in your
contract, there are still some costs that you will have to assume. Those
include manuscript preparation. You don't submit a rough draft, so you will
need a beta reader and possibly an editor prior to submission. Even though the
publishing company provides marketing, you will still have to do some
marketing.
Self-publishing has always been subject to criticism for producing inferior books. Self-publishing means doing it your way, all the way. So, if you want to skip the editing, it's your choice. Unfortunately, cutting corners this way only validates these claims. To paraphrase a line from Jurassic Park; don't get so preoccupied with whether you can that you don't stop to think if you should. Self-publishing may be all about having it your way, but if you turn out poor quality work, you'll make it that much harder for other authors to sell.
Your success in self-publishing depends on how much effort you
are willing put into it. If you want to be involved in every aspect of writing
and marketing your book, perhaps self-publishing would work best for you.
If you want a complete hands-on experience in publishing, home publishing could be another option. Home publishing allows the writer to publish small batches of books in a short time span and without the cost of postage, taxes, etc. involved in purchasing copies. When you home publish, you print and bind the book at home. I will address this in a later blog.
On Saturday, February 12, 2022 from 10am to 12 noon, I will be talking to a group about self-publishing. This is an introduction to a critique group that will meet monthly at the Elkins Public Library in Elkins, Arkansas. It is open to the public and free. For more information, contact the Elkins Library at
(479) 643-2904 or email elkinspubliclibrary@gmail.com
Writing Your First Book
by ProActive Writer's Group on 01/09/22
It is estimated that over 80% of the population would like
to write a book, yet less than 1% actually do. I'm not surprised. I've always
wanted to visit Australia, but given the fact that I'm over 70 now, the likelihood
that I will do so is pretty slim. It isn't as though it is an impossible dream.
It would require dedication and would have to become a high priority. It didn't
and this is where I want to start with this blog.
Writing a book requires a lot of work. Preparing a
manuscript for publication can be more daunting than visiting a far-away
country on a shoestring budget. In fact, the process is actually similar.
If I decided to visit another country, the first thing I would do would be to look for a travel agency. I'd want to know the cost so I could save or borrow the money required. I'd need a passport, vaccinations and information on all the requirements of a visitor to that country. I'd probably ask advice from people who had visited that country – or at least someone who had traveled to another country. The requirements might be different, but the process would be similar. I'd need to know a little about the country I intended to visit. What transportation would be available and what cities would I find interesting? By this time, I might be getting a little anxious. I've left my comfort zone. Other things have taken priority – finances, family, etc.
I've never traveled to Australia. At this point, you may be seeing the similarity with writing that first book.
I began writing my first book in the early 1970's. To date, I have not finished that book. I got my first rejection of a science fiction story in the late 80's. To date, I have not finished the book. I still intend to. I know what it is like to be hung up on a book. I have published traditionally, self-published and even home published over 60 titles since 1996. I did it while working a full-time job, serving as den mother and president of two different non-profit groups. I did it while raising two boys, nursing a paralyzed husband and taking care of my father. As if that wasn't enough, I am dyslexic. Writing has been more to me than a passing interest. It has been a passion and a source of comfort. It has been a high priority – and THAT is why I have published 60 books.
At this point, you may run into your first obstacle – what are
the character's names? You may be tempted to post on social media and ask for
suggestions. DON'T. That is the slippery slope to writing a book for someone
else. This is your book. Grab a phone book and browse – a first name here, a
sir name there. Search the internet for baby names, or unusual names or popular
names in a specific period. Let your character search with you and they will
point out their name to you. This book is between you and your characters, not
your friends on social media.
Get to know your characters. Take them to the store with you
and determine how they would react to everyday situations. Find their
weaknesses and strengths. That's character building, and your characters will
move the story.
At this point, you're probably wondering if you should
outline your story. Yes. Well, maybe no. Ask a dozen successful writers (and by
"successful" I mean any writer who has published a book) if they
outline their stories. The answers will vary depending on author style. Some
say they wouldn't start a book without one and some say they never use one. Try
using an outline for your first book and decide what works best for you.
Write the first chapter. The first chapter is not only the
first plunge for the writer, but the most important for the reader as well.
That first chapter – and often the first few pages - will determine whether a
reader finishes your book. But don't put your focus only on that first chapter.
If the rest of the book doesn't fulfill the promise of the first chapter,
readers probably won't finish the book. That's bad enough, but they will
probably not even consider reading your next book. Yes, there will be another book.
They are like chickens. You can't have just one.
You've written the first chapter. Now it's time to look for
some help. It's too early to send your story to an editor, but it is an ideal
time to use beta readers or a critique group. Friends and family are fine, if
they are readers and if you can trust them to give you honest feedback.
Encouragement is vital, but only honesty will help you improve your writing
skills. Sharing your first chapter before you write the rest can save a lot of
time and frustration. You will get feedback that will help you with the rest of
the book. If you decide to pay for advice, it's a lot cheaper to have that
first chapter edited than the entire book.
Each time you travel, you gather valuable information. You learn
from mistakes and experience. You listen to people who have been there before
and compare their experiences to your interests. You don't have to go the same
places for that information to be valuable. The same is true in a critique
group. You don't have to use their input verbatim. Listen and decide which part
works for you and your book. Let them write their book and you write yours.
Just write it.