Writing in the 21st Century

Just finished reading - The Boldest Man in Ballymuir and The Boldest Flame in Ballymuir by Dorien Kelly

I was watching Little Women (the one with Winona Rider) and I marveled at how easy (in some ways!) writers have it today. Jo wrote each manuscript by hand, her fingers were stained with the ink of a fountain pen, and as a woman, she faced discrimination and scrutiny.

Now we have computers that not only help with the writing process, but research, marketing, communication, and design. Websites, twitter, facebook, and book trailers are awesome tools to spread the word about writing and books.

Some technology tools I love?

Old writing technology

Computer (obviously)
Email
Twitter
Facebook
Websites
Dragon Dictation (app)
IFTTT - feeds website update to facebook/twitter
Pinterest

There are so many that are daily habits, that I'm sure I'm missing many. What is great is they make our job easier, just think of research and how much easier it is to gather facts and ideas and communicate with experts.

That's it according to Maddy~

Tootles~
Madelyn

New Blog Design

Hello,
There has been some chatter on writer blogs these days about writer's websites. With Facebook and blogs is it really necessary to have a website? At first I thought yes. But as I thought about things, really why do you need a website if you are visible on facebook and have a blog (which feeds to Facebook)?

I can add book excerpts, writing updates, add pages for contests and contact info. So really a website isn't truly necessary.

What is necessary is a way for writers to find you. See what you are currently doing and look at our backlist. Readers need to be able to email us or post a comment on Facebook. Just a way to communicate and share. And a website is static where as Facebook and blogs are asynchronous communication avenues that work great for writers and readers.

So my website address will now filter to my blog which will allow for readers and writers to access as well as feed to Facebook. All and all a great solution.

That's it according to Maddy~

Tootles,
Madelyn

To Read Or Not To Read

Okay, I apologize for the title, but I'm a big Shakespeare fan and since I'm an English teacher, I should be. However, the subject of reading while trying to write is a tricky one. Should we read books that are a different genre then what we are writing?

If I am reading a historical and writing a historical, will the tone, ideas, and characterization seep into my writing? I tend to think not. Mainly because I feel that all authors have their own writing "voice". My tone would not mimic the other authors writing because if it did, wouldn't it be a carbon copy of the book? Also, many writers plan their plot, GMC, and characterization prior to writing and that helps direct them more than reading another book.

I do find reading books of the same genre I am writing beneficial because it tells me what editors have purchased and perhaps their manuscript personality. I may have in insight to a specific editors love of Pirates or Highlanders. Also, books do have a tone. Are they funny? Highly sensual? Or over-the-top dramatic? When searching for a publisher, these are all things to consider before submitting a book. I've done workshops on targeting your manuscript and truly investigating a publisher is important so you are not wasting your time or the editors time.

So, what is your opinion? Do you find it distracting to be reading and writing in the same genre?

That's it according to Maddy ~

Tootles,
Madelyn

New Year's Resolution

2008 is nearly upon us and many of us will create a list of New Year's Resolutions that will help us improve our daily efforts. Popular resolutions: lose weight, exercise more, watch spending habits~ there are so many.

Of course as a writer, I want to write more, submit (to publishers) more, enter contest, and focus on my career more.

As with many resolutions, they go to the way side around January 15th. How can we stick with our resolutions? I think planning, not being afraid of failure, and lists can help. Each year I create a list of what I have accomplished for 2007 and then I create a list of what I want to accomplish in 2008. So, when I look at the list I made last year, I can check off what I completed and it is truly interesting. I think we actually accomplish more than we realize, but don't see it because it isn't documented.

What is your New Year's Resolution? Writing or otherwise.

That's it according to Maddy~

Tootles,
Madelyn