Posted on by Alexie Linn

Meet Sally: The Name Change That Sparked a Mystery

A Funny Thing Happened While I Was Writing 18 Sally Books…

Much to my surprise… a character changed her name! Have you ever had that happen?

You’ve heard (or read, rather) about unruly characters? I blather about them all the time. But of course, without them, there would be no fun and entertaining books to read. So, I put up with their antics and try to crack the whip with more snap.

But this one has really colored outside the lines! She started out as Sally Newton Forester. But somewhere along the line… she changed her name to Sally Forester-Newton. Without my permission. The audacity! She says it rolls off the tongue easier. She likes it that way.

But to add insult to injury, she taunts me. She jeers me. She rubs it in that I was not paying close enough attention to the job at hand . If I had been more attentive, she would not have gotten away with it. And that it’s too time consuming to go back and fix it now. She doesn’t even remember what book she did it in.

But like so much of my life, I only tell myself that I am the one in control. I prove it by rolling out of bed at 1 AM. I do this to write fun mysteries for your escape time pleasure.

Which brings me to the pertinent news I have to share.

There’s a new Sally the Loner Mysterious Misadventure uploaded and available for you to let your hair down with.

It’s a novelette rather than a novella. It will be a tad easier to squeeze this shorter escape into your busy schedule. I had to juggle my available writing time between ‘The Golden-Brown Robberies’ and ‘Mama’s Morsels of Home’ infamous cookbook. Hence, a shorter cozy mystery, but two books being released near to each other.

This post is all about the debut of the first release. ‘The Golden-Brown Robberies: A Cozy Food Enigma’. Here’s the lowdown and a link to buy it as an eBook for less than a dollar. That’s a whopping 67% off the regular price! Take a gander…

Golden-Brown Crusts are mysteriously disappearing in a neighborhood. The residents are left wondering who or what is behind the vanishing act. From missing pies to golden-brown cookies, nothing is safe from the thief’s grasp.

But as the community reels from the loss of their beloved baked goods, a new twist emerges. Everyday items with a golden-brown hue are also going missing.

Is it a petty thief with a peculiar taste or something more sinister at play?

Join the residents as they uncover the truth behind the baffling mystery that’s leaving them scratching their heads. And craving a Golden-Brown Crust more than ever before.

Click here to Read ‘The Golden-Brown Robberies’ NOW for 99 cents. Use discount code U0NDMZOQ at checkout.

And an urgent heads-up…

The Alexie Linn Bundle Promotion ends today… Grab a bundle of eBooks for up to 70% off the regular price. Click on this link to go directly to my  Google Play Books Store page and stock up! Do it this minute because this promotion ends today!

If you missed out on the Google Play Books promotion, don’t worry. You can still get in on the Smashwords End of Year Super Sale. Here’s a link to my Smashwords page.

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 An Off-Grid Writer in a Techy World

 This Off-Grid Writer in a Techy World

Have you ever wanted to escape to an island or mountaintop to write your memoirs? Picture it. (Hum if you’d like) You and your laptop lazing in your shanty. You are peering out at the ocean between bursts of amusing prose filling the screen.

The only sounds are the waves crashing; the wind whispering; the birds cheering you on. No mail delivery carrying bills will arrive. It won’t interrupt the purr of elation coming from the depths of your soul.

But then a voice invades your bliss. ‘Your battery is low. You must plug in very soon. Your battery is very low. This computer will shut down in 15-seconds. Save your work…’

 Yep. Our world spins forth techy devices faster than we can acquaint ourselves with them. They’re great! I embrace more better ways of doing things. But they all have one thing in common… they need a source of power to function.

Consider this:

The first manuscript I sold was typed double-spaced and error-free. My typewriter was a portable suitcase style Smith Corona.

I typed it three times before I packaged it. Then I stuffed it into a manilla envelope. Finally, I mailed it off to Gold Prospector’s Magazine with a cover letter and self-addressed-stamped envelope (SASE) enclosed as well. The process was cumbersome, expensive, and frustrating. It was even more so if the manuscript came bouncing back in that SASE. It often included a friendly ‘Thank you, but not today’ note.

And no, I’m not as old as Methuselah, but I am well over 21.

On the plus side of the equation, no electricity or telephone was needed to start and finish the process. But life has changed dramatically, to say the least.

Today, a computer and an internet connection are unavoidable. Manuscripts are uploaded; books are downloaded; paper and ink are obsolete. Even the market for books is zooming around out there in cyberspace.

What’s a backwoods, off-grid writer to do?

Adapt and count your blessings because with technology has come freedom, sharpened resourcefulness and opportunity.

Freedom to create wherever your desires take you (as long as you have internet service).

Daily mind gymnastics to keep your tools charged up and in tip-top condition.

Opportunities to write, publish, and sell wherever the internet flows. No postal service required.

I’ve written and published over 40 books. I did this while I was perched on a mountaintop or buried in tall pines that whisper in the breeze. I also wrote alongside a babbling brook, or two. I even string words together in my tiny off-grid abode in the Sonoran Desert.

How do I do it?

Because this is a short blog, I’ll limit my sharing to what I do today. Yesterday’s generators and giant solar systems are history in my world.

Four handy little techy inventions power-up my writing world. One could almost fit them inside a backpack.

When you peer inside my writing world, here is what you see:

  1. 2-300 – watt portable power centers. One is charging while the other is being a power source. (I choose Jackery or Litheli brands as the best—so far.)
  2. 1-100 – watt lightweight portable solar charging panel (or a 900-watt gas generator if you live where the sun rarely shines).
  3. 1 laptop computer to write, upload, and download. Rewrites and editing are done in a flash. No paper or ink is needed.
  4. 1 – smart phone with hot-spot capabilities to upload, download, and communicate with readers wherever they enjoy your creations.

And there you have it. I call it empowerment. And it’s how I spell freedom.

This is the system I use to ask you: Which title piques your curiosity more?

Too Many Bodies and a Burro OR Quest for Forester’s Landing

Click here to vote for Too Many Bodies and a Burro
OR Click here to vote for Quest for Forester’s Landing

And… which cover grabs your attention first? (Click on the picture you saw first)

It’s also how I can offer you a 5-star cozy mystery for only 99 cents. Simply click through the direct link below the next cover.

In “The Secrets of the Tainted Trough”, imagine waking up from a nap to see a donkey and a horse peering through the screen door, both desperately thirsty. Would you give them a drink? And then what?

Sally, an energetic 87-year-old woman, faces this exact dilemma. Intrigued by the animals, she decides to investigate why they keep returning to her property. What she discovers shocks her to the core – their water trough is contaminated with a body. But whose body is it? And how did it end up in the water trough?

With no one else around but a goat, chickens and a pup, Sally is alone. Is the body their missing caregiver? As the mystery deepens, she must grapple with the fate of both the animals and the unknown person in the trough.

Join Sally on her thrilling and perplexing journey as she unravels the truth behind this mysterious misadventure.

Prepare to be captivated by the twists and turns in “The Secrets of the Tainted Trough”. A tale filled with suspense, intrigue, and unexpected revelations.

And share a recent review for the same story.

Secrets of the Tainted Trough Audiobook Review:

Book Rating: 5 out of 5

Narrator Rating: 5 out of 5

Review:

An entertaining and fun adventure for the amazing Sally, with a lot of twists and plenty of humour. Schann Stewart’s narration is excellent, I loved Sally’s voice.

Click here to grab Secrets of the Tainted Trough for only 99 cents. Use code U0NDMZOQ at checkout.

And now that I’ve bared the simplicity of my off-grid techy laden world with you, I will get back to my work-in-progress. I encourage you to do the same.

Happy reading and writing…

But first…

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Cliff Hangers, Red Herrings, and Sourdough

Cliff Hangers, Red Herrings, and Sourdough?

Without cliff hangers and red herrings, a story is hard to read. It’s like a 25-word sentence with no punctuation. Dry as a bone and B-o-r-i-n-g.

Cliff hangers and red herrings are also called writing prompts and plot twists. They move you, the writer, to fill in the blanks. Authors (or characters in my case) use them at the end of chapters to keep the reader turning the page to the next chapter. Sally the Loner’s Rodney is especially good at red herrings.

So, what, really is a cliffhanger? It’s a gripping unanswered question. And a red herring? A diversion to draw the reader’s attention away from the matter at hand.

Here’s some examples of cliff hangers and red herrings:

  • She stepped in a rabbit hole and kept going… down, down, down… (Oh no. Is her name Alice?)
  • The box was open. She pulled back the peanuts to peer inside – and promptly fainted.
  • Your protagonist is an old school preacher’s wife. A package arrives welcoming her to the erotica of the month club with three back issues enclosed.

Building a recipe box of cliff hangers and red herrings to have when you need it is only a good habit to get into.

Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction; memoirs or family history; work in cliff hangers and red herrings. They build suspense, pique curiosity, and hold the reader’s attention. Although I don’t know that cliff hangers and red herrings have a rightful place in a technical publication.

So, speaking of red herrings… what the heck does Sourdough have to do with cliff hangers and red herrings?

Absolutely nothing – except for the gripping unanswered question when you’re baking with sourdough.

I mentioned Sourdough because this blog’s super deal is Sally the Loner’s Book 6, The Sourdough Bakeoff. You can get the eBook today for 99 cents – that’s less than $1 according to my calculations. And it’s only available direct from the author through the link below.

The rules state contestants must be 18-years-old. Bobby is 12 years old, going on 32.

His father has vanished. His mother is rehabbing after being run over by a boulder.

Winning this contest will provide cash for her surgeries, him at home instead of in foster care, and them off the welfare rolls.

What’s a boy to do?

Can Sally and Bobby bend the rules and win the contest without getting caught?

What could go wrong?

Rating: 5 out of 5
Review:
Entertaining clean, cozy mystery. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series. Glad the recipes were included from the cook-off! I may try them someday…. from Jean D.

Happy reading…

Click this magic button to buy ‘The Sourdough Bakeoff’ eBook for 99 cents. Use this code at checkout. U0NDMZOQ

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“How do you know what to write about?”

It’s the Idea Party – Come One, Come All

“How do you know what to write about?” Is the prevailing question.

And the prevailing answer to that question is, “I don’t.”

I don’t know what will pique the curiosity of the multitudes. Myself is the only person I know that well. Therefore, I write about what rouses my own desire to snoop or participate.

Here’s how it goes… generally:

When I’m nearing the end of a story – say 2/3 or ¾ of the way through – the little voice in my head starts to niggle with this question. “What’s the next book about?”

As I get closer to the wrap-up, the niggle becomes a nag and then a panic if the seed of an idea hasn’t sprouted before I’m into the current work-in-progress epilogue.

I can’t speak for other authors. I can only share with you how the next book becomes a reality for me.

Here’s what happens:

I start with a question. A ‘What if’ question. In the case of ‘The Tangled Tails of Spaghettio’, the ‘What if’ question was, “What if Sally gets attacked by something every time she steps away from the house?”

Where does the ‘What if’ question come from?” I never know. It’s literally a surprise when I hear or read something and the lightbulb explodes.

Again, using ‘The Tangled Tails of Spaghettio’, it was a statement from my frustrated friend. She simply said to me, ‘I get pelted with ice crystals every time I step away from the house!’

TaDa! A cozy mysterious misadventure novella is a work in progress.

The antagonistic ice turned into a crazy cat because the multitudes like to read about cats. And how does a cat get crazy except by catching a smidge of a spell cast by a 194-year-old practicing witch?

Are you catching my drift?

In summary, to decide what to write about:

  1. Put your ears on to the statements, chirps, and squawks around you.
  2. Turn an emotion-filled statement into a ‘What if’ question.
  3. Invite a passel of lively characters to the plotting party.
  4. Write the story that you can’t wait to read or listen to.

Is your curiosity piqued about ‘The Tangled Tails of Spaghettio’?

Here it is – along with a link and a code to buy the eBook now for 99 cents.

Prepare for a thrilling ride as Sally finds herself in a tangled web of feline intrigue!

Outside the door of her quaint little igloo in the desert, she encounters the most unexpected visitor – an orange tabby cat like no other.

Meet Spaghettio, the mischievous cat with an agenda that keeps Sally on her toes. As the cat’s relentless pursuit chases her back into the safety of her home, Sally’s world transforms into a captivating mystery.

With a name as delightful as his appearance, Spaghettio becomes Sally’s reluctant captor, asserting dominance over her every move. But why? Where did this enigmatic feline come from, and why is it determined to keep Sally confined?

Amidst the chaos of Rodney’s hilarious mishaps with his bionic arm and wheelchair, Sally finds herself entangled in a web of bizarre circumstances. With both mankin and cat unleashing havoc, our courageous 87-year-old protagonist must rise to the challenge.

Can she uncover the truth behind this demented cat and unravel the insanity gripping her world? Will she be able to save Rodney from the clutches of his malfunctioning arm?

Hold on tight as you dive into this uproarious adventure filled with unexpected twists and turns. Join Sally as she untangles the mysterious cat’s origins and confronts the mysteries that lurk beyond her very own doorstep.

Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of laughter, mystery, and heartwarming moments in this charming tale that will keep you eagerly turning the pages.

Buy the eBook now for 99 cents. Use this code at checkout for the sale price U0NDMZOQ
Words from a reviewer:

‘What a funny story! I never knew what to expect next. I couldn’t put t down until I finished it!… J. Durbin’

From Schann Stewart, the champion narrator of a multitude of voices, including side-splitting animal sounds:

‘A hilarious romp of an adventure!’

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Procrastinator’s Perpetual Planning Calendar: A Special Edition for Sally the Loner Fans

It’s Bargain Day! A Special Edition…

This is a Special Edition for a Special Edition of a Sally the Loner Series.

It’s special because it’s not a run-of-the-mill cozy mystery. It’s still cozy. Sally and Rodney are the main characters. But you are the antagonist on your own story not yet written.

What the heck does that mean?

It means that Book 13 of the series is the Procrastinator’s Perpetual Planning Calendar. You complete the story while you fill in the blanks and grab a chuckle – or two.

Here it is… at a special price (99 cents) through a special link for a very short period of time.

Have fun and enjoy…

alexielinnauthor.com

182 1/2 days of laughter, inspiration, and daily wisdom from Grandma and other wise souls.

Dive into Sally’s delightful anecdotes and practical to-do lists.

Kickstart your day with purpose and humor. Perfect for singles, shut-ins, homemakers, roommates, or anyone seeking a daily dose of motivation and a good laugh.

Let this book be your morning companion to spark action and joy in your life every day.

Here’s the Special Edition Link to Buy the eBook Now for 99 cents.

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The Mystery of the Cozy Bargain Bin

Yep. It’s a mystery.

I had a Cozy Bargain Bin all set up to share with you. But, like the entire month of April, it has vanished. I can only hope it’s gathering more and more Cozy Bargains for you on its adventure.

So, while the search for that elusive bin continues, I have two works-in-progress to tell you about:

  • The Procrastinator’s Planning Calendar. It won’t overwhelm you with chores and includes a daily tidbit to ponder procrastination with.  I am procrastinating on designing the cover and finishing it. Any cover ideas you’d like to share?
  • The Planet Ziggy Expedition: Will the Mystery of the Phoenix Lights be Solved? Gordy Gordon is a shapeshifting alien who lands on Sally’s igloo roof. He has a plan to get help finding the lost love of his life and retrain two of Sally’s marauders for a life outside of crime. Or does he have a different agenda?

While I scratch my head over these next two books of the Sally the Loner series, here’s some cozies and mysteries you might like to get lost in…

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How to Write and Publish Your Book in a Month – or Less

How to Write and Publish Your Book in a Month – or Less

Did I fall and bump my head? Doesn’t it take months and years to finally sniff the ink and feel the pages of your baby?

It can. But it doesn’t have to. You hold the keys to that brand new car. That means you’re the boss. Do you want to park it in the garage and sit in it occasionally? Or take it out for a spin and let the world ooh and ahh at it?

It’s your choice.

I choose to share my fiction and nonfiction babies with the world. And I choose to share with you how I do it. If you need proof… give my method a shot and see for yourself. Ready? Set? GO!

Much of the project to publish a book a month is done…

Granted, much of the general work has been done in my head before I sit down to write. But like the fuel used to buzz around town in the car, that time doesn’t count. The general work that doesn’t use fuel or punch the timeclock is:

  • The what if that the story is about
  • The setting – the where this story takes place
  • The very rough outline of how it will unfold and play out
  • The characters that raise their hand and have a story to tell
  • The genre
  • How many words it will take to tell the story

I’ll use Sally the Loner Meets the Sourdough Kid as an example.

  • What if the paperwork got mixed up at the hospital-to-rehab center loading dock? And you landed at the Alzheimer’s Care Center instead of rehab…with no cellphone?
  • In metro Phoenix, Arizona and the middle of nowhere desert
  • What will Sally do? Who will listen? Who are her antagonists? Who will help? How will Sally escape both the center and the city?
  • Characters will include caregivers, antagonists, and sidekicks.
  • It’s a cozy mystery and adventure – or misadventure
  • And need 30,000 or more words for a fast read, feel good novella
Set up the files to publish a book a month

Given the above parameters, I sit down at the computer. I begin with setting up a ‘Sally the Loner Meets the Sourdough Kid’ folder. Within the folder I ready these files:

  • Manuscript
  • Cast of Characters
  • Description

I’ll set-up additional publication files when the manuscript is finalized.

Any characters who made appearances previously are copied and dropped into the Cast of Characters file for continuity. This is where a Master File of Characters comes in handy. And here is the program I use to create and maintain my Master File of Characters. I’m so pleased with the Plottr app that I have affiliated with the company to make it easier for you to ferret out. Click on this Plottr link to see for yourself and to buy me a cup of coffee if you decide it will work great for you, too.

Select the Characters

But back to the Cast of Characters for this book.

One is Joan Freed, the rebel life coach niece of Sally. Another is Jenny Crawford, Joan’s sidekick friend with her trusty six-gun. And Jenny’s polka dot rescue Chihuahua, Patches, and so on…

Write the Description

I begin with writing the description. It will change, I guarantee, but the description steers through the conglomeration of events to stay roughly on track.

It’s time to dive into the manuscript.

Next comes the story…

First the front matter, leaving the dedication blank until the book is complete. Also inserting pagination and headers because I’ve been known to forget that detail. It’s embarrassing.

If I write 2,000 words a day – 1-2 chapters – the draft will be ready to cool for the first edit in two weeks. I use the minimum 3-day cool down time to create a cover and prepare promotional materials.

Now the Edits…

After the first edit, I get right to the grammar and readability edit with Hemingway. There are several other options for grammar and readability like Grammarly and ProWriter. But I find Hemingway to be the simplest and most streamlined for me.

I copy and paste the manuscript one chapter at a time into Hemingway; make any changes to the manuscript itself, not the chapter being scrutinized in Hemingway; and proceed with the next chapter. I’m not reading the story. I’m looking for hard-to-read sentences and overuse of adverbs or passive words.

An important note about editor apps!

Your editor app may not alert you to missing quotes. And definitely will not flag muddied speakers names. Be sure to clarify who is speaking! Dialogue without identifying who is speaking is confusing.

I once pulled down a book to rewrite and republish as a new and different book because of a 3-star review that was caused by missing quotes and unclear speakers. The reviewer liked the story but found it difficult to read.

The third and final edit – the one that I approach from a fresh reader’s eyes – comes after another cooling off period.

When all the Edits are complete…

  • Rewrite the description
  • Fill in the dedication
  • Add the backmatter
  • Format the print file
  • Upload the eBook and print files to Amazon and D2D
Finished! You’ve proven you can publish a book a month.

Voila! Finished within a month! Rinse and repeat for the magical experience of achievement.

But just one more thing…

Yes, there is still work to be done. Work like creating the narrator version and so on. But that’s fodder for another post. I declare this one done!

As always, email me here with your questions and pleasant thoughts.

In the meantime, get going on your baby! Daylight’s burnin’!

Happy Trails and Tales….

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7 Lessons I Learned from Writing Books

7 Lessons I Learned from Writing Books

If I knew then what I know now about writing for readers, would I have taken the leap?

How do you answer the question, “What don’t you know?”

With those two questions out of the way, let’s get right to today’s lesson…

Lesson #1 — I’m Not the One in Control.

When I took the plunge the picture in my head was akin to being the puppeteer. Me maneuvering and manipulating all the little puppets around the stage to create an entertaining show. The reality is all the little puppets doing their own thing while I wrestle with each one to do it my way. They win. My job and mission is to corral them into a coherent and cohesive story.

Lesson learned? Myself is all I have control over… most of the time.

Lesson #2 — Everything takes Time.

I can outline the story, build the sets, cast the characters, and even write the first draft for a cozy mystery in about two weeks. Then the real work begins…

The cool downs prior to each of three painstaking edits, the prepping and posting to my website and the distributors.

Next up is promoting. That never ends. Each new book is like raising a child. They leave, but they’re never gone. And they all require time.

Lesson learned? Time ticks off, no matter what. Do your best to use it productively.

Lesson #3 — File for Retrieval

Do I remember my mindset when I started writing ‘Unexpected Blessings’ nine years ago? Did I file it under Grief Recovery? Or is it in the Joan Freed file? After searching for about an hour, I found it. I’d changed the name on the file the last time I put it away.

Lesson Learned? File in the protagonist’s folder and never, ever change the name on the file.

Lesson #4 — Plus One Rules!

My house runs well on ‘plus-1’ for supplies. When I buy a can of soup, I buy 2. When I slip a quart of engine oil into my cart, I slide in two. And when I need water wipes, I grab an extra for a backup. While I don’t buy two computers when one fails, I learned the hard way to keep a thumb drive in the slot and update it daily for a copy… just in case.

Lesson learned? Keep one backup copy of every manuscript separate from the computer.

Lesson #5 — Blessings come in all sounds, sizes, and shapes

Interruptions usually translate as frustrations. But I have found that whether it be a phone call or a knock on the door, it’s more often a blessing in disguise.

For instance, the phone call from my long-lost daughter to say she’s coming home. Or the gift of Alaska smoked salmon that is being delivered from my friend in the far north. Or a call from an avid reader looking for the eta on my work in progress.

Lesson learned? Count the interruptions as blessings. They really are priceless.

Lesson #6 — Writer’s block has many names

Brain freeze. Senior moments. Writer’s block. In my case, they are all a temporary frame of mind that comes from stress. Worry of what the next word or paragraph will be that is sure to hook a reader to keep reading. Maybe all the characters are out for recess. They don’t ask me. They just do it and leave me in the lurch. But if I slow down and wait for the characters to return, we’ll be on a roll again.

Lesson learned? Take a breath. Do something else for a minute while the hooligans I call characters gad about. Like the three little kittens who’ve lost their mittens, they’ll come home with wild stories to tell.

Lesson #7 — Some say I’m crazy. I’m okay with that.

I see or feel the eye roll. It happens when I’m getting ready to tuck myself into bed at sundown. And it comes from those who are not morning people.

Not long ago I had a text waiting for me when I rolled out and booted the computer at 2 AM. I answered it. And got a reply! But the texter was just on his way to bed. Did he feel my eyes roll?

Lesson learned? We each march to our own drummer. How boring life would be if we didn’t.

And there you have it. 7 lessons I’ve learned that are directly related to the business of writing.

What lessons have you learned? Email me here to share.

But to answer the question of if I knew then what I know now, would I have pursued this career in writing fun, provocative, and interesting books?

Yes! It’s my way of giving back and encouraging you.

Cheers!

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You’re Running Out of Inspiration? Here’s How to Get a Refill.

If you’re Running out of inspiration, here’s how to get a quick and easy refill.

The Symptoms of Inspiration Leaking

You feel it. You hear the tire slowly deflating but you don’t have a spare to yank out, crank on and get on down the road. That’s the miserable sound of inspiration oozing. It is warning you to stop overworking it and take action to keep your prose running smoothly.

Then there’s the inspiration leaking characters

Does it feel like your characters act like they’re all taking a long winter’s nap at the same moment. But it’s not winter! How will you wake them up? More inspiration oozing.

Here’s how to stop the outflow.

First, identify what’s causing the inspiration to drain.

Where’s the leak? Is it:

  • Lazy writing – it just lays there, refusing to dance
  • No interaction – Needs outside input
  • Mind-boggle – Too many distractions or demands to focus on your character’s needs

It is NOT Writer’s Block!

There are those that label the malady Writer’s Block. But blockage requires enemas. And, sometimes, trips to the hospital. On top of that, blockage requires lots of manual labor to get through, around, or over.

These are all negative factors in a productive life. In my opinion, that is.

But stop! Don’t make it harder than it is. I’m all about DIY positive fixes if it’s at all possible.

And here’s 6 ways of how to tell the inspiration attendant to fill-er-up.

Self-talk

Jot down, read, and repeat a mini mantra that goes something like this:

‘I am driven to write lively, entertaining prose from quirky, memorable characters. I listen to the characters. I hear the characters. I encourage their individuality to take over the story’.

Make it as long or short as you like. And in your words.

Just say what you want to do. And blame it all on the characters.

What-if game changer

Play the ‘What-if’ game with your characters.

What-if Superman came flying overhead and crash-landed in your pool? Would that be a topic of conversation? Do ya’ think?

Sally the Loner plays this game all the time. And what characters she meets up with! Even a kidnapping Big-foot and a man-size doll that worries about his designer shoes.

It’s fiction. Anything can happen. Encourage it. There’s always editing if its superfluous.

Throw a wrench into the works with a new character

If Superman crash-landing in your pool isn’t a wrench with a memorable personality, I don’t know what is. Do you?

Read the headlines

A few minutes ago, when inspiration to write this piece was deflating, a headline caught my eye.

It was about a solar powered water desalination plant that might fit right into the Second Chance Ranch scenario. The ranch that might become a spin-off of the Sally the Loner series.

What headline can wake up at least one of your characters?

Grab an inspirational quote

Is one of your characters a wise old guru? Will an inspirational quote fit right in to your dedication for the story? And fill up your inspiration tank at the same time?

Here’s one I like…

“Life is about accepting the challenges along the way, choosing to keep moving forward, and savoring the journey.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

If all else fails

Give the problem to an AI (artificial intelligence) app. That action and result is sure to get you throwing down the gauntlet to beat it at its own game. Isn’t it?

Refill Your Inspiration Summary

When you find yourself leaking inspiration, take action to plug the leak, refill the tank and get typing again.

Put:

  • Self-talk
  • What-if game
  • A new character or event
  • Read the headlines
  • An inspirational quote
  • Artificial intelligence

to the test. And run with it.

Running out of inspiration is just that. Your tank (or tire) is frightfully low. You can make it to the air pump if you act fast. Before it fizzles to flat or that last fume is gone.

Are you re-inspired yet? Keep filling until you are. You can do it.

Cheers!

P.S. Grab a look-see at Sally the Loner. She’s an inspiration in her own right… or is it write?

You may also like…

And here’s TWO… Count them TWO Giveaways you should know about…

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Posted on by Alexie Linn

Behind the Scenes of a Productive Author

Behind the Scenes of a Productive Author

Does this happen to you? It happens to me.

Each time I decide what I want to be when I grow up, a picture comes into my head. The picture invariably is of me (and my team) with the shiny finished product with throngs of people lined up to buy or use that gorgeous piece I’ve created. Cash is flowing. People are jubilant and crying for more…

But is it that simple?

Hmm. Not so much.

I’ve flipped career paths several times over the years simply because of the behind the scenes demands.

Demands like:

  • Graveyard shifts because I’m a morning person. I turn into a pumpkin at sundown.
  • Working with a redneck crew that shun and torment a woman in their midst.
  • Micro managers that must give permission for a bathroom break when it will affect no one else on the floor.

It’s easy to block out the details of what goes into the production of a product. Especially when you have no clue until you get there; having leapt smack into the bubbling pot of goo.

So, in preparation of your leap into becoming a productive author, here’s a peak at what goes on behind the scenes to get a book from thought to publication at Alexie Linn, Author.
  1. The Inspiration:
    • Ask the question. Define the problem that needs a solution. (The reason for writing the book)
    • Who are the characters that have the problem? What is each character’s quirk?Does the protagonist need a sidekick?
    • Make the antagonist 3 dimensional. Why are they so darned antagonistic?
  2. Outline the story — make a gazillion decisions:
    • How does the story begin?
    • What led to the problem?
    • Where is the problem happening? Research places.
    • What are the options to fix the problem?
    • Refine the options with what happens along the way
    • Research the options for suitable fixes
    • Attempt to fix the problem
    • Keep working the fixes until one clicks.
    • Will the chosen venue work?
    • Tie up all the loose ends… or leave them dangle?
  3. Write the story:
    • How much material have you to work with?
    • What’s the slant? What are you selling to whom?
    • Who will be reading it? A pre-schooler or a scholar?
    • Average 5-letter words or 20-letter words?
    • How many chapters? About how many words per chapter?
    • How many total words?
      • Is it a:short story (1,500-30,000 words);
      • a novella (18.000-40,000 words);
      • a novel (40,000-150,000 words);
      • a flash fiction (300-1,500 words); or
      • a nonfiction (25,000-150,000 words)
    • Decide whether to start at the beginning, middle, or end.
    • Look for a publisher (write and submit a proposal) or indie publish (write the proposal for yourself or just skip it)?
  4. Publish the Book
    • Prepare the manuscript for indie publication
    • Write or rewrite the description
    • Select key words or phrases for search engines to snag —  
    • Design the cover
    • Write and arrange for Pre-order ads
    • Run the editing gambit (See Publishing Checklist)
    • Publish to the website with available when date
    • Format the MS for E-book and Print versions
    • Upload to the server(s) – Phew! — Almost done…
    • Prepare the narrator’s version of the manuscript
      • Remove photos and anything else that the narrator should not read or describe.
      • Compile an audition script; including character ages and voice inflections like a stutter, lisp, or an accent.Select a narratorNegotiate a contract with the narrator
      • Upload the narrator version of the manuscript
  5. Promote, promote, promote
    • Order author copies of print versions for promotion and gig sales
    • Schedule book signing and sales gigs
    • Post the new book to social media servers from the website often and frequently
    • Write the blog
  6. Repeat steps 1 through 5

And there you have it. A nutshell peek at behind the scenes of Alexie Linn, Author.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this behind-the-scenes journey and are now more prepared to dive into the very busy life of authorship.

The inspiration, outline, write, and publish process takes about 30-days for this author. Promotion never ends.

I’ve seen books promising you can do it all in 7-days. And I just opened an email from a homesteading blogger that her 85,000-word book is finally done. Her project took 5-years.

We each work at the speed that best suits us… or that providence allows. The most important step is to keep plugging away at it. Artificial intelligence does it faster. But it will never do it better than you. Strive for perfection, but keep going to the end.

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