Jerry B. Jenkins's Blog, page 29

 

At times like this, writing my WordSmith column while enjoying a view of Manhattan from the 48th floor of a luxury hotel, I am struck by the privileges I enjoy at this end of my career, compared to …

Read more...

The great conservative pundit and writer Bill Buckley, who died five years ago, was a fascinating thinker and conversationalist.

photo by spykster

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought the e-book phenomenon would prove to be a marketplace tsunami—and I welcomed it. Even as an author, I confess I hardly ever buy a real book anymore. I have over 200 e-books on my phone (and boy, is it getting heavy…rim shot). But how I love having that library in my pocket! I thought people who disagreed probably still rode horses to work.

It’s so easy to buy e-books, and I also save a lot of money by downloading free samples and avoiding impulse purchases of over-promoted titles I would never finish.

But the fact is the trend that appeared unstoppable finally slowed, dribbled, and has actually reversed. I occasionally ask readers on my Facebook page to vote (paper or plastic?), and I’ve finally become convinced that consumers overwhelmingly prefer paper. They cite nostalgia, feel, smell, ability to highlight, ease of review, etc.—but still I assumed they’d eventually get with the program.

E-books are here to stay, and I am a thorough convert—to the dismay of my readers and many colleagues—but I concede I am in the minority.

So, as a writer, how do you prefer to read your books, on paper or plastic? And tell me why.

The post Digital vs. Paper, What Say You? appeared first on Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild.

I thought the e-book phenomenon was a tsunami—and a welcome one. Even as an author, I hardly ever buy a real book anymore.

I wouldn’t call it an epiphany. Just a glimpse of grace. You stumble onto such things in unlikely places. For me it was at Washington’s National Airport years ago, before it became Ronald Reagan National.

My dad took my two older brothers to a father/son activity at church, but at six years old, I was too young to go.

This week's news is naturally - and rightly - replete with stories of the legendary civil rights martyr Martin Luther King, Jr.

A psychologist once told me, “I’ve always wanted to write a novel.”

A psychologist friend once told me, “I’ve been thinking about writing a novel in my spare time.”

I said, “Interesting. I’ve been thinking about doing some counseling in my spare time.”

He said, “I didn’t know you were trained for that.”

Apparently one has to be trained for his profession, but not for mine.

Well, you and I both know better than that. One should never stop learning. So pat yourself on the back, you’re ahead of the game just by checking in here.

In five decades of writing, I’ve learned a few things that might boost your chances for success:

1. Have something to say

Boil your book’s message down to one sentence. As you write — then as you edit — that will keep you on point.

2. Know your reader

When I sit at the keyboard, I keep one reader in mind. Not a room full of people, but one person. I write to an individual, “you,” not “some of you,” or “those of you,” or “many of you.” “You.”

3. Say it simply

I never try to impress with my choice of words. Writers who show off their vocabularies are like girls using make-up for the first time. Less is more. Unless you’re a gifted literary stylist, let the power of your story speak for itself.

4. Practice your skills

I don’t say this just because I train writers. Fifty years since earning my first dollar for writing, I’m still polishing my skills. I belong to writers groups, subscribe to magazines for writers, and read every book I can find about the craft.

5. Polish your prose

Every writer needs an editor. At writers workshops I often condense the first pages of people’s stories by two-thirds. I do the same to my own work. Dare to cut, replace, and polish until every word counts.

6. Publish the right way

It’s never been easier to publish a book. But beware. Many companies prey on would-be authors, promising success in exchange for expensive packages. Before you invest, investigate. Know what you’re buying and how a company defines its promises, particularly in terms of quality editing, marketing, distribution, and sales.

7. Plan to sell your book

If you take the responsibilities of self-publishing, that includes your book’s sales and marketing. Here’s a link to a great article on this topic. Don’t wait to make these decisions until your copies are delivered.

8. Start small

To get copies of your book at an economical price, you no longer have to order hundreds of copies. Thanks to print-on-demand technology, you can now order just a handful of books, then order more as you need them. Paying less for inventory means you can invest your up-front dollars in editing and design, as well as in help with marketing.

This can be a great time to publish your first book —if you commit to doing it right.

Which of the above steps are you lacking? What can you do to change that?

The post 8 Tips that Will Get You Closer to ‘Published’ appeared first on Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild.

It wasn’t until I had been an adult for several years that I learned that loving Christmas was not universal, even among Christians. I was shocked to learn that many people find Christmas and New Year’s the most depressing holidays on the calendar.