Why Content Quality Trumps Grammar Rules

What’s more important? Grammar or Content?

I just read a book that took me on a page-turning emotional roller coaster. Was the writing grammatically, correct? I have a vague memory of a few stumbling blocks that I had to slow down my reading to get the gist, but I don’t remember what they were. Because the story, the content, was that good. Did I ding the stars I gave for this review over a couple of unremarkable slowdowns?

Yes, grammar serves as the backbone of effective communication, providing the rules and structure necessary for clarity and coherence in writing. But is one invisible quotation mark going to spoil the entire story?

Judging from the book I gobbled up like a starving puppy, quality content goes beyond grammar, encompassing engaging, insightful, and relevant information that grabs the reader and keeps tugging.

A great story has the ability to inspire, educate, or entertain, leaving a lasting impact on readers and establishing credibility and authority in your writing.

Content is king, and engaging content is like the crown jewels. It’s not just about throwing together words; it’s about capturing your audience’s interest and keeping them hooked from start to finish.

But grammar tools are like spell-check on steroids – they help polish your writing and catch those pesky errors you might miss. Embrace these tools to level up your grammar game.

It’s true. Balancing engaging content with proper grammar is like juggling flaming swords – tricky, but so rewarding. Keep your content exciting while upholding grammar standards to create a winning combination.

Remember, it’s not about choosing sides – it’s about striking the perfect balance. I’ve never slapped a good book closed because of a glitch. That would probably have resulted in no reading for me. Nothing and nobody is perfect. Not even me, this computer I write on, or these pesky gnats that I smoosh eventually.

In conclusion, while the debate between grammar and content may persist, it is evident that both elements are indispensable in effective communication.

To do your best:

  • Let your manuscript cool for more than a couple of days.
  • Read it slowly the last time through.
  • Read it slowly one more time after it has cooled again… and publish.

The book I couldn’t put down? Here it is:

The inspiring, true story of Anne Dodds.

When her husband passed away after a long, trying illness, Annie Dodds was forced to sell almost everything to settle his estate.

Homeless, with little money, she wondered if it might be time to pursue a decades-old dream of living a quiet, self-sufficient life alone, off-grid. One day, when her son told her he knew of an old house on fifty acres, she knew it was time.

Feeling empowered and prepared by having read so much over the years, she loaded her belongings into the back of her pickup truck. But as she pulled into the driveway that first day, she could not imagine the challenges she would face, the obstacles she would overcome, the self-doubts she would master, and the soul-strengthening peace and contentment she would find living in a rundown old home on fifty acres of country heaven.

5-Stars! – An awesome page-turner that took me on an emotional roller coaster ride page after page. Here’s the Amazon link for eBook, Print, and Audiobook.

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(A shout out to Tiny Wow for the AI assist in inspiring me to write this post. Thank you. Also…some links may be affiliate links.)

Unlocking Your Inner Inspiration

What Inspires You?

Finding inspiration is a powerful force that drives creativity, motivation, and personal growth. It can come from various sources, both internal and external, and can manifest in different forms. Understanding what inspires you and how to harness that inspiration is key to leading a fulfilling and purposeful life.

Definition of Inspiration


Inspiration is like that “aha” moment when a light bulb appears over your head. It’s that spark of motivation that gets you excited and ready to take on the world, or at least your next project.

The Psychology of Inspiration


Psychologically speaking, inspiration is like a mental kick in the pants, pushing you to think outside the box and see things in a new light. It’s that burst of creativity that makes you feel like you can conquer anything.

But when inspiration sags…

When my own inspiration sags, I turn to those who inspired those quirky characters that reside in every one of my books… Here’s a picture that pops into my head first…

From Joan Freed to Sally to Mary Linn and beyond, you’ll find snippets of their personalities and words of wisdom I grew up with. As a matter of fact, these ladies are the direct inspiration for Mama’s Morsels of Home Cookbook

alexielinnauthor.com

Homemade Noodles came from Grandma. She (I helped) often made them on Sale Day at the auctionhouse. I think because they cooked fast when the grandpa’s last crony had gone home. Hearty One-Pot Dinner was Mama’s answer to me making supper when she was working late. Mama’s Ginger Creams (using 8 cups of flour) was the answer to snacks for 6 rambunctious children to satisfy… and long-term snacking for this young bride’s first journey to Alaska.

Where inspiration comes from…

Inspiration comes from surprising sources. It might be a picture, an achievement, a song, a sunrise, or even a positive word. But at the end of the day, the most powerful source of inspiration is within yourself. It’s that inner fire that drives you to pursue your passions, overcome obstacles, and keep pushing forward, no matter what life throws your way.

So go ahead, tap into that well of inspiration inside you and watch yourself shine. I’ll join you in just a minute… and I’d love to learn what inspires you. Click my email link below and tell me…

But if momentary escapes is your current need for inspiration…

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(A shout out to Tiny Wow for the AI assist in inspiring me to write this post. Thank you. Also…some links may be affiliate links.)

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.

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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Understanding Book Word Counts and Reading Times

Yep. It’s All About Size and Time

Whether you’re shopping for a book for yourself or someone else, word counts matter. If you are writing a book, reading time is important too.

What’s the difference? Isn’t reading or writing a book just reading or writing a book?

Well, no. If you’re shopping for a book as a gift: there are many variables to consider. Variables like:

  • Who’s it for? Are they young, middle age, or as old as dirt?
  • What are their interests? What genre yanks them in like a magnet?
  • How long is their attention span?
  • How’s their vision? Do they read itty-bitty words well or do they enjoy large print?
  • What is their reading device? An eBook reader or is print a need?

But if you’re a writer, certain decisions must be made while you’re in the outline stage. Decisions like:

  • Who’s it for? Are they young, middle age, or as old as dirt?
  • Are you writing a flash fiction; a short story; a novelette; a novella; or a novel?
  • Genre. Each genre has a general word count to begin with.
  • What are your interests and skills?

To make outlining your story easier, here’s a general list of word counts. Use these word counts to guide your story development.

As with any topic, opinions differ. I’ve done a roundup of several opinions to give you these examples for fiction:

  • Flash Fiction is from 3oo to 1,000 words (read in 1.2 to 4 minutes)
  • Short Story is from 1,000 to 3,000 words (read in 4 to 15 minutes)
  • Novelette is from 3,000 to 20,000 words (read in 4 minutes to 3 hours)
  • Novellas are from 20,000 to 50,000 words (read in 3 to 5 hours)
  • Novels range from 50,000 to 110,000 words (read in 5 to 8 hours)

But for Nonfiction, the standards are different. There’s only two general word counts to grapple with. They are:

  • Standard Nonfiction runs from 70,000 to 80,000 words
  • Memoirs are 80,000 to 100,000 words

In the general children’s category, there are:

  • Children’s Books and Picture Books – 300 to 800 words
  • Early Readers – 200 to 3,500 words

Let me share my experience in word counts and reading times. I will also explain why I write more cozy mysteries than other genres.

The majority of my books are cozy novellas. The chapters are short (about 1,000 words per chapter). The stories are fast-paced and trope loaded. I write this way because my life is fast-paced and trope loaded. The momentum is required to keep the story (and me) moving.

I also write this way because my readers are often interrupted. They need to find a fast, light escape whenever they can.

Your book needs to be as long or as short as your story demands. It should meet your needs. The numbers I’ve provided are simply a guide. A snippet to help you on your journey… because that’s where the enjoyment is… in the reading or writing journey.

On that note, I’ll finish this post with a blurb on my latest published book. I also invite you to corral it for yourself as an eBook for less than a dollar. Plus, I encourage you to shop all my series and singles on my website: https://alexielinnauthor.com

Cheers

Join Sally on a thrilling adventure as she navigates a mysterious spine-tingling shrieker; missing robots (including Rodney), and a pyromaniac.

With her trusty walking stick in hand, Sally and Cozy Mae embark on their journey. The witty robots, Rodney, Ruth Ann, and Sparkle, are by their side. They must unravel the puzzling clues to save the day.

Will the ladies be reunited with their bots? Can the unlikely team of Sally, Rodney, and Cousin Cozy Mae crack the case of the spine-chilling screech?

Find out in this gripping tale of friendship, mystery, and misadventures.

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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…

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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.

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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The Quest for Identity: Adventures of Fictional Figures

Speak up Characters! – What Happens Next?

It’s not the infamous writer’s block. Neither is it brain-burnout or a blank page staring back at me. It’s simply a control issue.

When the conversation doesn’t come bubbling out or the scene is flat and boring, I blame the characters. But the real problem is me. I’m trying to control the characters instead of letting them play it out while I tend to the mechanics of it all.

The mechanics that make the book a readable page-turner. Mechanics like:

  • Are their actions logical?
  • Is their information sharing accurate?
  • How’s their grammar? Is it concise and acceptable?
  • Is it clear who’s talking?
  • Are they rambling on and need to put a sock in it?

Here’s an example of me trying to control the characters. It happened to me just last week.

My current work-in-progress – ‘The Goat that Wasn’t – A Baa-d Mystery’ – was becoming dry-as-dust. Oh, there was lots of mystery. There has to be anytime a strange goat comes bombing into your house and takes over… But halfway through the story there still were no bad guys!

No antagonists jumped in to stir the pot and raise more havoc than a presumptuous goat. No bodies appeared. Sally hadn’t whomped anyone with her walking stick. Nobody was holding anybody hostage. It was a story of all good guys!

Huh?

I’d plucked the characters from my own well-cultivated garden and added a few weeds with beautiful flowers. Why aren’t they performing well and thriving? They seemed to be all greens and no fruit.

I feared book 12 in the Sally the Loner series with an attention-grabbing title and 2 covers to choose from were going to fizzle and die before ever leaping out of the computer and into the world of readers.

After three days of worrying it, I practiced my own preachings.

Get out of the way and let the characters write the story. It’s their tale to tell.

I did. They did. And coming soon is ‘The Goat that Wasn’t – A Baa-d Mystery’. Watch for it. But first…

I need your help… Sally and the gang are keeping mum.

With two covers vying for first place, I’m boggled. Which one grabs your curiosity first? Please cast your vote for Cover 1 or Cover 2. Thank you, thank you.

Click the pic to vote for COVER 1
Click the pic to vote for COVER 2

On that note; Take this lesson to heart in your own writing endeavors to let the characters do the storytelling. You’re just there for the mechanics. And the covers. And the description. And the…

But while you’re waiting for the debut of ‘The Goat that Wasn’t – a Baa-d Mystery’, you might also like to get acquainted with these characters…

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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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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?

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We Need to Talk About Affiliating. It’s a Challenge.

The challenge of affiliating…

It’s a natural. Right? While you’re striving to hit the Bestseller list, you still need to eat and pay the bills.

One way to fill the coffee coffer is by affiliating with companies like Amazon to earn commissions on sales made through your links.

To affiliate is to band together to promote their products throughout your posts by way of links. When the reader clicks and buys through your link, you get a portion of the sale. Sounds perfectly simple. But is it?

Here’s some challenges with affiliating I’ve faced:
  • Most companies require you have a hefty minimum number of subscribers before you can join up. But not all.
  • If you spirit off a reader of your blog through a link to another shop, you’ve lost them in your store. Did they buy something through your link while they were gadding about? Probably not. Here’s why…
  • According to mycustomer.com, 90% of consumers shop around before buying online. Yet, according to Finder.com, 88.6% will impulse buy… if you hit their sweet spot.
  • When the decision to buy is finally made, does your customer come back to your site and order the product through your link? Or do they go right to the website, bypassing you? Cookie (memory that your link brought them in) duration varies. What’s your own practice?
  • Applying for; setting up; blogging about and keeping track of affiliate links is time consuming. What’s your priority? Writing and selling your own books or other people’s merchandise?
Is there a way to make money as an affiliate while writing?

Yes! But you may have to put your own work on the back burner while you’re focusing on applying for; setting up; blogging about and keeping track of your affiliate links. Why? Because you’ll have to put all your creativity into finding the listeners and writing the winning blogs.

On the plus side, it certainly never hurts to spread your name around as a credible, capable writer while you’re writing for others… Before your prose hit the market. Hint: Don’t write for others under another pseudonym. Post with the name your book will shout. It’s free advertising.

And while we’re on the subject, there’s a website (at least one) that touts the 30 best affiliate programs for writers. But ask your search engine for the link when we’re finished here. I don’t want to send you away before I refer you to my own latest book… It’s available now in eBook, print, and in audiobook.

It’s a cozy mysterious misadventure about 3 old ladies with 3 obnoxious husbands that die on the same day. Did the 3 old ladies murder them? Or what?

Is it foolish to affiliate to make money?

Not at all!  I have read and heard of people making a very fine living partnering to promote other’s products. But while you’re promoting other’s products do include shouts for your own Bestseller in the making.

Think about it…

P.S. In case you missed it, click the link to glom onto your copy of my latest book. Then we’re almost done here. Just a couple of very important notices… Until next time…

Cheers!

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