The Sisyphus Syndrome

Happy New Year! Can you believe 2013 is a thing of the past? (I bet you're all as excited as I am to write a new number every time you write the date on something. PS--I might learn to write 2014 instead of 2013 by, oh say, March. LOL!)

For me, 2013 was full of a TON of ups and downs. Luckily, it ended on an "up" and I hope the trend continues. I've got some exciting writing projects to work on and I'm glad some of that old creative enthusiasm (that had gone on a several month hiatus sometime in August) has made a cameo appearance. Can you say PHEW?!

Around late December, a lot of my writer pals started sharing their list of goals for the coming months. I think it has to do with January's clean, optimistic reputation. Somehow, starting a new year gives a sense of a fresh beginning. The past year is swept away with the dropping of the ball in NYC. When the clock strikes midnight at the end of December 31, the previous 365 day (or 366, if it's a leap year) are filed away in the cold case cabinet. Those unmet goals, whether fantasized or concretely laid out, can be edited, erased, or embellished. It can be energizing.

On the flip side, a lot of writers face the same goals year in and year out. Not necessarily because of something they're doing wrong or something they're failing to do, but because it's the nature of the game. The prevailing opinion is that it takes YEARS to get published, and that's if you're lucky. And over time, that can really drag a writer down. It can grind passion into bits until all that's left is doubt. Staring at the same list of goals can get discouraging. Thoughts like, "am I ever going to find and agent?" or "Am I ever going to land a publishing deal?" or "Will anyone download/order/purchase my book(s)?" can cycle on a repeat loop ad infinitum.

Perhaps you've felt like my friend, Sisyphus, here (I know I have):

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So what's a dedicated writer to do?

I have some tips:

• Don't give up.
• Acknowledge progress (even if you think it's small).
• Celebrate all types of success (Have you learned a new technique? AWESOME. Did a reader send an encouraging note or leave a glowing review? SCORE!).
• Remember WHY you started writing--it can rekindle that initial passion that can fade over time.
• Don't stew in a negative spiral by yourself. Call on your writer friends. GET SUPPORT.
• Give yourself a break. Sometimes frustration leads to burn out and burn out leads to writer's block. Taking time away from the notebook or computer and engaging in other fun and relaxing things can be refreshing.
• DON'T compare yourself to others. Seriously. OK, it's good to have role models, but when you get caught up in "the grass is always greener on the other side" type of thinking, nothing you do will seem good enough, you'll get jealous, and you'll psych yourself out.

So, do you guys feel like Sisyphus? How do you find a way to keep on keeping on?

* * * * * *

Laura Diamond is a board certified psychiatrist and author of all things young adult paranormal, dystopian, and horror. Her Young Adult Paranormal Romance novelette NEW PRIDE and novel SHIFTING PRIDE debuted late 2012. A spin off short story based on the lions of Tsavo, TSAVO PRIDE, is now available on Amazon. In 2013, her Young Adult Dystopians, ENDURE and EVOKE, were published by Renegade YA. Her Young Adult Paranormal Adventure, THE ZODIAC COLLECTOR, is coming 2014 by Spencer Hill Press. When she's not writing, she is working at the hospital, blogging at Author Laura Diamond--Lucid Dreamer, and renovating her 225+ year old fixer-upper mansion. 

If you’re interested in reading more about Laura or interacting with her on the web, check out the following links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DiamondLB

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraDiamond

Author Laura Diamond: www.authorlauradiamond.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5815639.Laura_Diamond

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Diamond/e/B009Y7L432/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1377733776&sr=8-1

Blog: http://lbdiamond.wordpress.com/

How to Build An Author Website

If anyone heard a long string of creative curse words emanating from the direction of my living room this month, that was not me trying to get on Santa’s naughty list.

That was me trying to learn website building software.

With the calendar about to turn to the year my book launches (hooray!) I was feeling behind the gun on some of my marketing efforts. Chiefly, on my web presence. Most days you’ll find me wasting time, er, “building my author brand”, on Twitter, and just try to pry Tweetdeck from my cold, dead hands. However, I termed my blog “my unblog” for the very reason that I knew I couldn’t be counted on to post witty truths on a regular basis and there is noting I hate more than a sad, neglected blog. Blog: out. On the other hand, a static website where I could show a little of my personality and introduce readers to me alongside my stories, was very definitely in. It just took me a while to figure out what that vision would include.

I started with research. Lots and lots of research. I began by bookmarking the websites of other debut authors to see what sort of information they were including. Next I made a list of twenty authors who wrote in a similar tone or style or for a similar audience to mine. I combed over their sites as well. And then I made a big old master list of all the things I loved about those sites and why. I knew right away that I wanted my site’s tone to reflect my writing style- light, fun, a dash of humor (hopefully).  I also knew right away that while the words should be mine, the design should not be. Unless I wanted to scare readers and, well, I don’t write horror, so…

                

I enlisted the help of an extremely talented illustrator I found on Etsy and commissioned a custom design from her. She worked with me to find a concept for a home page illustration and headers, as well as a color scheme. My particular challenge to her was to come up with something that would be girly enough to appeal to tween readers (as my first book is a middle grade aimed solidly at chicklets) but also sophisticated enough to sustain an older audience (as I’m hoping to publish a YA novel in the future). The result:

www.jenmalonewrites.com

I’m hoping I got it right! I had a little TOO much fun being interviewed by my tween self and I’m especially having fun with plans for my secret hidden bonus page. Hint: click on the hedgehog), though I suspect my future is full of endless tweaks. 

But for now I’d love to know what YOU look for in an author’s website. Do you visit them? If so, are you there to learn more about the book or the author? What type of information do you hope to find there?

Debut nerves and cool stuff (including prices)

I usually keep my writing and my real life separate. I don't talk to a lot of people I know about my SLEEPER came out, I know it was a good idea to promote it locally as well as online. So I put out a press release and it received some media attention.
writing, even though I'm not normally a shy person. But when my debut novel,

For the past few weeks I've been receiving congratulations through friends, work colleagues and acquaintances. I usually shift uncomfortably and give an awkward thank-you. I think it's because I know that people I predominately mix with online think more like me - love YA, NA and Speculative Fiction and understand the publishing industry. I have no idea if people I mix with off-line are into my weird story lines.

But it was worth putting myself out there.

I had one new friend that I met though my community consultation work tell me that she's really enjoying my book. Not only that, but when she reads it, it's like I'm reading it to her - in her mind she hears my voice saying the words. That kinda blew me away.

This leads me into some of the highlights of of my debut release so far:

1. Being told I'm narrating the story to a reader.
2. Having an adult male reading my book, and enjoying it!
3. Getting reviews like this!
4. And like this!
5. Getting Tweets like this.
6. And like this!
7. And this.
8. And then there was this:

There were times where I was going to give up on SLEEPER. But I'm so glad I didn't because knowing I'm writing something people enjoy is worth it.

If you're yet to be published, don't give up. And if you are published, congratulations on sticking with it.

I've shared my ups, so now share yours. What's your favourite part of your writing journey so far?

(And don't forget to enter the giveaway to celebrate SLEEPER's Release)

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Killing Your Darlings with S. M. Johnston

Today I'm handing over the blog to one of our, Sharon Johnston, in celebration of her latest release, SLEEPER.

A new heart should mean new life, not a living nightmare.

Mishca Richardson’s life is at an all-time high after her heart transplant. With new boyfriend, Ryder, the two of them have the perfect summer romance. Even the nightmares that have been plaguing her sleep since her operation can’t dull the high she’s on.

Things start to unravel as Mishca develops superhuman abilities. She does her best to hide them so as not to end up a science experiment in a lab. But she can’t ignore the instant attraction she experiences when she meets her university professor, Colin Reed.

Torn between the blossoming love and the obsession, Mishca must decide if she wants Ryder or Colin. But the organization responsible for her changes and her connection to Colin, is moving to secure Mishca for himself so that she can be the weapon he always intended her to be. If Mishca can’t resist her programming she’ll have a lot more to worry about than romance.

Amazon

And over to Sharon...

I rip out the hearts of my darlings…and occasionally kill them

I am a mean-arse writer. My characters get torn apart. While I give my main character, Mishca, a really rough time in SLEEPER, the worst of it is for her love interest Ryder.

Readers seem to be falling in love with Ryder and I rip his heart out and then stomp all over it. My beta editor warned me that readers would not be happy with me for it. And so far she's been right, but it's a low point that is essential for the story - as you can see from the snippets of a review below.

"I was pretty pissed and really not happy at all"…and then "It was near the end that the plot turns hectic and you are blown away with what is really going on with this girl" ~ Eclipse Review (Read the full review here).

If everything was sunshine and roses the whole time it would be a very boring book, though I went beyond mean to down right cruel. But it's an important process to go through as this story is not just Mishca's. Book 2 of the Toy Soldier Series, DESERTER, is a dual POV between Ryder and Mishca (which should make some readers VERY happy). SLEEPER is the opening scene that lays the platform for what is to come, and it's a whole lot of pain for them all: Mishca, Ryder, Nerissa and Finlay.

Their stories intertwine over the four books, and I stomp all over my little darlings the whole way. But that's what a good writer does. They draw you in to the characters and make you feel so deeply that you may have the urge to throw your kindle across the room at the pain the author has caused to the characters.

But a good writer also keeps up a sliver of hope that there will be a happy ending at the story conclusion, though occasionally the author denies the readers of that as well. I know how the Toy Soldiers series ends, and I won't say if there will be squees of joy or cries of angst from readers, but the journey will be filled with ups and downs, heart-ache and sorrow, loss and a death or two.
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An Interview with New Author Riley Graham

So this month I decided to interview one of the many talented and wonderful authors I know; Riley Graham. I have known Riley for many years now and this is her debut novel Accidents & Incidents. And there might be something special at the end of the interview.

-Davey

Give us the Elevator Pitch for your book.

Could we take the stairs instead? : - ) It’s a little longer than your typical elevator pitch, but here’s the book description:

Sometimes finding love means taking the scenic route …

Living with her faultfinding mother has taught Leslie not to ask for much. Just watch your step, stay on the sidelines, and take what you can get. But she wants a mom who thanks her for cleaning the kitchen instead of yelling at her for missing a spot, and a boyfriend who does more than score her a seat at the popular table—someone who actually notices her sitting there.

So when Cain, the school heartbreaker, turns his Carolina blue eyes her way, Leslie can’t help but be tempted, even if he’s her boyfriend’s best friend. Things get even more complicated when Leslie strikes up unlikely friendships with Meredith, Cain’s girlfriend, and Dennis, a boy addicted to cigarettes and solitude. Despite his tough exterior, Dennis seems to understand Leslie in a way that no one ever has, and to need her as much as she needs him.

For the first time in her life, Leslie feels like she could belong. She’s just not sure where.

What inspired you to write this book?

I was working on my library degree when I took a course in young adult literature and remembered how much I love it. There’s something about that time of life—everything is so emotionally charged. I wanted to try and capture that on the page.

A lot of the inspiration from this particular book came from my own life. For instance, I ended up falling for a guy I was close friends with in high school, though for the longest time, I thought I wanted his best friend. There’s a little bit of that dynamic in the book, with Leslie being drawn to the high school “it” boy as well as the boy who listens to her problems and shares his with her.

What is one thing you want the reader to walk away with after reading your book?

What I want most is for the characters I created to be as real and complex for the reader as they are for me. If I succeeded there, the reader should walk away with the understanding that even people who might seem cruel or unfeeling often have their own problems that determine the way they interact with others. And even people who seem to have it all can have their hearts broken and their worlds shattered.

How did you write your book? Did you outline then write or just jump in and begin writing?

I’m definitely a planner. When I started this book, I wrote out some basic character outlines and then started a Word document where I just brainstormed my ideas, from character backgrounds to plot scenarios to themes that I wanted to carry throughout the book. A lot of the details changed as the story unfolded, but the core of the story didn’t. I also kept the motifs I started with—holidays and car accidents for instance—as well as the theme of difficult family relationships.

What do you do when you aren't writing?

Read. Though I have to be careful because I can easily go on reading binges that keep me from getting my own writing done! When I first became a librarian, for instance, I went through a period of reading almost a book a day. I’m also a real Netflix junkie and love to discover new series. I think writers can learn a lot from watching well-written TV shows. Plus, it’s fun : )

Why did you choose to write and become an author?

I didn’t have cable TV growing up, and there was no Internet. So I kind of learned to create my own entertainment, which involved lots of reading as well as making up stories I’d act out with friends, though I didn’t start writing things down until later. I also used to go to bed every night running different scenarios in my head—of course, a lot of them involved me being courted by my favorite actor at the time, but you get the idea.

The first time I seriously thought about becoming a writer was when someone in school pointed out that I was good at it. And something clicked—I knew that was what I wanted to do. It took me a while to discover that I wanted to write fiction though, so most of my early writing involved journals filled with poetry that nobody but me could understand. I still write poetry sometimes, but fiction is my true love.

What do you like to read when not writing?

Lately, message boards, blogs, and books about writing and publishing! But as far as fiction goes, young adult contemporary is my favorite. Sara Zarr, E. Lockhart, and Sarah Dessen are some of my favorite writers there. I also really enjoy new adult, especially work by Jessica Park and Tammara Webber, who showed me that there was real talent in the self-publishing world. Right now I’m reading Openly Straight, a YA contemporary by Bill Konigsberg, and No One’s Angel by Kelly Walker, a talented fantasy and new adult author as well as my cover designer.

How do you deal with writers block?

Different ways. Sometimes I force myself to sit in front of the computer and reread what I’ve written until I can get a few words out, even if I’m not thrilled with them. Sometimes I take a break from the actual writing and just work through things in my head. I’ve often gotten myself unstuck while driving, grocery shopping, or drifting off to sleep, for instance. Sometimes I work on another writing project, and other times I skip the scene that’s giving me trouble and work on a different part of the story.

Where can people find you on the Net?

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Booklikes | LibraryThing

And Accidents & Incidents is available from these online retailers:

Amazon | Apple | B & N | Kobo

What is one question you have never been asked but have always wanted to answer?

The question: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

My answer: Try not to compare yourself to others. I still struggle with this. Even when visiting discussion boards about writing that are generally helpful, I can work myself into a real funk if I start comparing my own productivity and sales with others. So instead, I’m trying to learn from their success while at the same time realizing that what works for them may not work for me. We all have to find our own way.

Here is a Little Bit More About the Author and Your Chance to Win a Copy of Accidents & Incidents: 

Riley Graham is a high school librarian and writer who lives in North Carolina with her husband, two dogs, two cats, and an embarrassing number of dust bunnies. She’s currently at work on her second novel, another young adult contemporary.

To celebrate the release of her debut novel, Accidents & Incidents, Riley is giving away two signed paperbacks and ten signed bookmarks.

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