Jan Marquart's Blog, page 2

Things to Do Outside is now in print and sitting on my table. I can't help the amazement I feel. It all happened seemingly fast.
The last thing I remember was sitting down to write a poem for my nephew's two little ones and then the thought came -- every child needs to feel loved -- and I called a man I know who started PublishPros.com and he liked the idea and then -- then -- I sat down and in a few weeks wrote 16 books. Book 2 is Things to Do Outside.
The series is titled Can You Find My Love? So, what is my point? My point is that as a writer no sparkle of inspiration can be denied, pushed to the back of your mind, neglected as not good enough. You must grab your pen and write it even if you do so on your napkin.
That is my one strong, earnest, and heartfelt message to everyone who has even a glimmer of a thought to write. Do it! NOW!
Keep the pen moving!
Jan Marquart JanMarquart.com

As a psychotherapist I counsel adults daily who were never told as a child that they were loved. Couple that with the birth of my nephew's two new children and love became a theme for me. There is nothing like new life to make me inspired with love.

So as I was writing a love poem to my nephew's two children I began to realize that everyone needs to find love and so the children's series Can You Find My Love? birthed. Book 1 - Seasons and Book 2 - What we do Outside is just the beginning. I have 16 written and slowly they will find their way into your homes.

When inspiration hits it is easier to write but I can say without doubt that if I hadn't been in the habit of writing daily these books would have remained only a mere thought.

Write daily even if it is just about the weather. Good habits produce good results.

Writing memoir can seem insurmountable. So how do you organize the theme about which you want to write? First, you need to realize that memoir and autobiography are not the same. A memoir is a personal piece that focuses on an experience or theme in your life. It does not run from birth to the point you are now living revealing only dry facts about your life. A memoir is a personal statement from the point of view of being on the experiential side of a situation.
I have designed a one-page Memoir Chart that a great deal of writers are using to help identify an experience of theme they want to use for a memoir. From there, everything in a memoir ought to connect to that theme or experience. In so many ways writing memoir is very similar to writing a novel. So if you want me to send you this Memoir Chart email me through www.AboutTheAuthorNetwork.com and go to the contact us link.
I'd love your feedback on whether this form helps. Keep the pen moving.

Every writer needs a website. I have spoken to many new authors, so proud of their books, who have no defined way to market or sell their book. So I started About the Author Network, a site to help them put up their personal photos and one of their books as well.

Check it out: www.AboutTheAuthorNetwork.com. Currently I am designing a new and more interesting site, so if you don't like the site's format -- hang on -- a new one is on its way.

If you need to contact me, you can do so at [email protected]. If you are not yet published, I give 30 minute free consultations on any part of getting your manuscript finalized.

Keep the pen moving!
Jan, CEO and Founder of About the Author Network

I am always surprised when I speak to new authors about their books and hear that they have no marketing plan.

So listen to this: I have a plan for you. I am CEO and Founder of About the Author Network and I help, promote, and market new authors and their books for a minimal fee each month.

The features and benefits are many. Check them out. http://abouttheauthornetwork.com/memb...

If you are a resource for writers you can also join and have access to tens of thousands of writers. Check out the membership features and benefits for resources: http://abouttheauthornetwork.com/memb...

Get your books and services 'out there.' Let me help you. I give a 20 minute free consultation. Contact me at [email protected]

Do you journal write every day? Because if you do you are planting seeds for deep writing and possibly something you can publish. I don't mean publish as in a full-on memoir, I mean publish as in get a smaller piece into a magazine, on line or in print. Although a full-on memoir is good too. Everyone loves a good memoir.

Every time you free-write something with heat, passion, deep emotional content you have written something of power. Chances are if you find the right magazine for it you can get it published.

Make a poem out of it and check out poetry sites. On line magazines are popping up likes weeds in a rainstorm. One of the resources I find extremely useful is Every Writer's Resource. They send a notice for on line magazines regularly into my email box. So if you get on their mailing list you will find a number of resources for all genres.

Keep the pen moving!
Jan Marquart CEO and Founder of About the Author Network

I've lost count of how many writers I've spoken to over the years who dismiss their story or book idea because friends and family tell them it doesn't sound like a successful story. This can be a painful death to someone excited about a story line.

It is important to stand by the story pulling at your leg to be put on the page. Twelve publishing companies told JK Rowling no one would be interested in wizards. I bet they are kicking themselves right now. But she listened to herself and kept seeking publication.

Listen to the voice inside your soul. If it wants to speak - let it. Grab your pen and write your story. Hire a good editor and get an opinion on whether your plot is well laid out. People will read anything if it is well-written, meaningful, or adventurous.

Listen only to your inner voice. Proceed from there. Write - no matter what!

Jan Marquart, CEO and Founder of About the Author Network

I have spoken to many newly self-published authors who don't have their own websites with no way for online viewers to learn about them or their books. In response to their frustration and questions I have started About the Author Network. www.AboutTheAuthorNetwork.com. Go to the Membership tab and check out the author/writer benefits and features. Once you sign up I will send the interview and event links to continue promoting you.

Check it out. You can't go wrong. Also listen to the audios. You too could have an interview link to share on social media.

Are you an author? How can I help you?

Jan

The nature of writing solicits authenticity. If it isn't authentic, readers will know it. Readers are astute enough to know when they are being fed inaccuracies in stories and characters. How could they know that? Writers -- this is important. Readers know when a story line and a character are inauthentic, no matter what kind of fantasy it is, because elements of the character and story will be unbelievable, irrational, and phony. If a writer has not set up some structure to make the idiosyncrasies of stories and characters plausible, all the hard work that went into the written work was for nothing.

Keep your pen moving with authenticity because if you don't, even you, the author, will lose interest.

All I need is a sheet of paper and something to write with, and then I can turn the world upside down.
Friedrich Nietzsche

If you've ever read Nietzsche you know he did just that. If you want to write and be powerful in your writing read authors who changed the world with theirs.

Although not everyone wants to write as densely as the German philosopher, it doesn't mean that your writing can't be as powerful.

Remember, it isn't the dictionary that tells readers the definitions of words, it is the definition your heart gives to them and how you write them on paper.

Keep the pen moving - write,
Jan