I have always had a tendency to sneak some life wisdom into my writings. Although a good story is always welcome, it is much better if one becomes a wiser person for having read it. My favorite authors have always been the ones that have followed this practice.
There should not be overt preaching, however. This ruins the story. It is fine to do this in works of non-fiction—a self help book for example—but for those writing fiction, the message should be buried in the story, not the other way around.
For my part, even when I am writing an opinion piece that is guaranteed to offend those of an opposing view, I generally dress it up in humor. If nothing else this will downgrade the reaction from enraged violence to a condescending sneer.
Learning is far more pleasant when it is enjoyable. Also, if a reader is enjoying themselves they will be much more open to the subtle philosophies being presented. A relaxed mind is far more open than one that would rather be doing something else.
I am partial to philosophy and spirituality myself, but technical knowledge is also a wonderful addition to fiction. I first read Jules Verne soon after taking my first algebra class twenty five years ago. I still remember how much I enjoyed being able to understand the algebraic formulas he sprinkled throughout his fiction. It also helped me to understand the practical applications for what had been for me a new and arcane discipline.
Wisdom in fiction not only increases the readers pleasure, but the writers as well. There is a deep satisfaction in knowing that one has written not only a great tale but one of worth. The wisdom of humanity is increased thereby.
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Please join us on our Samhain Blog Book Tour today at Tynga’s Urban Fantasy Reviews. We have a guest post there entitled “Why YA?,” and we’re giving away signed books and a Green Man Journal, handmade by Christine and me from 100% recycled materials.
Description is a key element in my writing style. I spend a lot of time looking at and exploring the world around me. To be able to share what I see and experience with my readers is one of the great joys of writing to me.
When I write about a place, I want to create more than a background. I want the reader to experience what I experienced by being in that place or even imagining it. This requires much more than a visible description. The reader also needs to know how it feels. Is it hot or cold? Are there psychic impressions such as hostility, eeriness, or peacefulness? How does it smell? The olfactory sense has the most direct link to the human unconscious of all the senses.
What about background noises? Are the branches whispering with the breeze? What feelings arise unbidden within the character experiencing the setting?
I admit that description can sometimes be overdone, but that is what a good editor is for. Some common errors which I try to avoid is the use of cliches and using the same descriptive words more than once in a passage.
Good description will jump start the imagination, and once that gets going, there is no telling where it will take the reader. Using one’s imagination also helps to increase one’s intelligence, just as exercising one’s body will increase its strength. Imagination is what allows people to expand their knowledge and create new ideas. Einstein was not brilliant because of what he knew; he was brilliant because of his imagination. It was from this that he was able to create such concepts as the Theory of Relativity.
Another reason why I use description so much in my writing is because it is so much fun. More than that, it is a way to create a world exactly as I want it to be—with the help of my imagination of course.
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Please visit us today on the Samhain Blog Book Tour over at Tales of Whimsey! There’s an interview with Christine, and we’re giving away signed books and a pewter bookmark from Oberon Design!
Also, thanks to all those who participated in SEND WITCH to the TOP yesterday. We reached #67 on the Children’s Fantasy List. You made Witch on the Water an Amazon best seller!
Don’t worry if you missed it, because you can still get it today:
Fans of Rowan of the Wood, please consider getting the sequel Witch on the Water from Amazon today!
It is the single greatest thing you can do to help other readers find and enjoy this magical series… and RELEASE THE MAGIC!
STEP ONE: Just click here:
You’ve got our greatest appreciation for doing so.
STEP TWO: Bitten by Books is hosting the HUGE RELEASE PARTY today, and we’re giving away some really COOL prizes, like signed books and vampire slayer kits.
It is the dream of every author to have their book become a best seller.
NY Times
USA Today
Amazon
These are all lists authors strive to be seen upon. However, just selling a lot of books isn’t enough. There is a strategy, it seems.
For example, let’s take this example of two authors:
Author Q and Author V. They both had their books released the same day. They also both sell 100,000 books during the first year, but only one is a “best selling” author. Why?
Author Q sold 20,000 books the week of his release.
Author V only sold 2,000 books the week of his release.
The second week after the release, Author Q sold 10,000, keeping him on the best seller list, while Author V sold another 2,000.
Best seller lists are compiled by what the industry calls VELOCITY. It’s about how many books sell in a specific (short) period of time.
After the first month of release, Author’s Q sales quickly decline while Author V sells a steady 2,000 books a week through word of mouth. At the end of the year, they have both sold 100,000 books. Which one will get the new publishing contract and advance? Author Q. Because he had velocity.
Although Author Q’s sales declined in this example, they don’t always. Being on a best seller list raises visibility to potential readers. It gets the books better placement on the shelves. It helps the author pay the mortgage and write more books.
So, the lesson here is, the most important thing is WHEN you buy.
If you’ve read Rowan of the Wood and want to know what happens to Rowan and Fiana. Or how Cullen is coping with his possession. If Ms. MacFey will get the guy… read Witch on the Water!
If you want other readers to enjoy the magic of the series, then please buy Witch on the Water from Amazon this week, preferably on October 15th (that’s tomorrow!!):
SEND WITCH TO THE TOP of AMAZON day
It is the single greatest thing you can do to help our series entertain more readers.
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TOMORROW IS THE DAY!! Don’t forget! Time to get WITCH!
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Today on our Samhain Blog Book Tour, we’re visiting Sidhe Vicious Reviews! Read our guest post “The Lonely Hero” and enter to win signed books and an Oberon Design pewter bookmark!
I love it when someone tells me about the great book that they’re reading. When they’re exploding with enthusiasm for an author or a series, or even just a really great passage in their current read, it makes me happy and excited to put that book on my “must find” list and head out to the nearest bookstore or off to Amazon to grab a copy for myself.
Folks frequently make purchases based on the amount of buzz surrounding products. Word of Mouth advertising is one of the oldest and most reliable forms of getting out information about something you enjoy and think others should enjoy as well.
Rowan of the Wood is a little book with a big story inside and we’d love for you to help us share that story with others by adding your review to the others already available at Amazon. Since we’re serious about spreading the word, we’re going to make sure it’s worth your time to help us in our quest for more eyes on our books.
Folks who post a new review at Amazon.com for Rowan will receive an advanced sneak-peek at a sample chapter from Witch on the Water, a $3 coupon that can be used if you purchase Witch on the Water (and it will even be autographed!) directly from the authors after it’s October release date, and one lucky entrant will be chosen at random to receive a free, autographed copy of Witch on the Water just for posting their review.
*When the review is live at Amazon, link to the review via Twitter (make sure to tweet it to @christinerose or @simpleleigh, hey, both is good too!) or via Facebook (let us know by leaving a message at the Rowan of the Wood Fan page on Facebook).
*We’ll send you a link to the Witch on the Water sneak peak via Twitter or Facebook.
That’s all you have to do to be entered! One review, one tweet or link to be entered, and you’re part of the chain of people who are encouraging folks to read Rowan of the Wood. You’re helping us Release The Magic!
The contest will run from now until September 10th, 2009. Entries will be gathered and a winner will be announced by September 15th, 2009.
