Tag: author

Is it a romance novel?

Well…I guess it has romance.

It’s a question I get when I’m asked about two of my books. How do I explain it is a genre mix? My books have good, well researched history of dress, speech, locale, conveyance, and real historical figures merged appropriately into the setting of my books. That is of huge importance to me as a HistNerd.

Yep, made that one up!

That being said, I do incorporate the human side. Family, love, struggle, conflict, all the parts of who humans become as we live. Yeah, there is sex. However it is not erotica by any stretch. I don’t do gratuitous in any media I access. But my stories are sexy. I love sexy people; what they think, how they move, how they speak, the way they touch. Sexy is fun. However these two stories are set in a time when there was no deodorant, shampoo, washing machines, toothpaste, and tampons. Women had body hair, men had even more. You get me right?

I don’t avoid these things in my historical writing. It’s how it was.

The settings are fleshed out to give the reader easy access to the time period. With language it is important to be precise in order to drive the reader into the feel of a relationship. I do describe dress both male and female, as well as room decor to pull out who the people in the story are and what their lives are like. Are they rich? Do they have servants and how many servants would this person have in their lifestyle of the time period? Do they struggle to feed their children? Do they have to work and what would that work look like. It is a disservice to readers to give 2018 attitudes to women and men of the 1880’s.

Likewise forcing the language of the 21st century on 19th century characters diminishes the powerful effect of the communication of people of that time. They wrote letters, they kept journals, and they read newspapers, all part of human interaction and understanding. I love it!

So when you read about two proud individuals who are forced into a farce of a marriage, they still adhere to the standards of the day. When you read of a woman who is used by a man to gain favors and blackmail, she is a victim, but in the time there would be no rescue for her.

I am a mixed genre author and reader.

Cheers!

-N

Boosting that post!

Book lovers are so cool!

On my Facebook author page I posted a piece, with photo, about my huge bookshelf hubby built for me, and mentioned I am soon needing another one for a different wall. Then I boosted it to my standard audience.

Well…the response has been amazing to say the least.

As of now over 4500 people have seen it, over 400 reacted, with dozens of comments and shares. I feel like I got a big ole hug from an international audience. Fantastic feeling!

There are plenty of book lovers out there who appreciate my collection and the room my hubby has set up for me. It has comfy seating, plants in front of the window, a shelf of memorabilia of my beloved late father, and displayed photos of my precious children, my grandson, and other family members. Its a cool space.

It was a thrill to hear from others about collections of books and how they love their books. One fun thing were the readers who noticed Cleo sitting on the love seat in the photo. I even had a women in the UK who offered me some books from 3000 her parents left her! How cool is that?!

With the increase in digital book purchases (I admit I am one of those, too) I feel the real thing is getting left behind unless true book lovers and collectors like myself make sure to keep a library. The joy I feel when I look at my books, re-read a favorite author, share a special part from one of them with someone, or open my glass cabinet with my very old tomes and sniff the air inside, is immeasurable and gives me comfort. Those books have inspired me, they’ve provided character names and locales for a story. They have provided necessary historical data so my stories are accurate no matter who would peruse them.

I love to share the special finds I’ve made at used book sales or used book stores (I love how those places smell!) because you never know what might have been left inside a favored copy of essays or poems. I once found a clipping of review of the book I bought written in the 1930’s, and I found a photo from the end of war in the Pacific in a used World War II historical atlas.

Take a moment and look at the post. I would love to know your impressions my fine followers!

Cheers!

-N

https://www.facebook.com/NancyTurnerVaughn

Time for a website-I think

Been doing lots of research into the best way to present myself online and it seems clear I am ready for a website. Cool huh? It’s about time to stop relying on Facebook so much (I’m pretty much over FB anyway.)  My Twitter page is building nicely, and I know if I continue with Facebook it will be my author page only, which I have linked to my other social media.

Here’s my dilemma: I know nothing about setting up a website to give book updates, give readers a place to shop, and getting a mailing list going. How do I get my domain name, what is a reasonable price, and should I hire someone to do this or is it a matter of reading “Setting Up A Website For Dummies” book?

Oh jeez!

I would love to hear how others made it happen successfully. There are so many options that come up in a Google search, but personal experience seems to be easiest for me to find the best workable tips that I can adapt.

So all you writers/authors out there with successful websites I covet your input.

Cheers!

-N

 

I’m learning

This self-publishing thing is kinda crazy for a person like me who’s brain is always going hundreds of directions and a hundred miles and hour.

I published my first book on Amazon KDP first as an ebook, then published it as a paperback on Create Space and learned the hard way that it’s full of pitfalls in linking them. I did the next novel through Create Space as a paperback first and then converted it to an eBook – but there were still things I missed.

Create Space and Amazon KDP support have both been awesome. They have cleaned up things for me and clarified processes, so now I have made a check list for myself as I go through this process for the next book which will be out this year.

I have also read lots of tips from other self published authors and I have two writing coaches who offer help with wonderful tutorials and webinars that give me confidence in my efforts and confirm I am not the only writer facing these issues.

I am wondering if other writers have used sites that offer to market your work? Some are through Twitter and Facebook, and others through their own websites. Another question is about selling rights to a group in China who will release my book in that country. Is this legit and why would I need to do this to sell in China? If I sell the rights to them does this eliminate my ability to sell in any other country? It sounds very iffy.

Don’t forget your Valentine on the 14th.Image result for valentine's day 2017

Cheers!

-N

 

 

 

Writing groups and mentors

I just sat through my second webinar about writing, and the assorted details that go with that topic. In both of these I was told to find a writing critique group and a mentor. The critique group should have a many times published author for a leader, and the mentor should offer straightforward and constructive criticism of the work.

Where is the best place to find these humans?

Should they be focused on my genre and should I expect to pay for these services?

I’m curious about the experiences of others who have done this. How large was the critique group? How often did you interact with your mentor?

I persevere in my attempt to do my best in my writing and have learned a lot from these sessions along with the things I’ve found online and in print.

Educating myself about this started with why I want to write. My honest, from the heart response is I’ve always written. In fifth grade I wrote a story about toilet paper! Writing happens, it’s getting my work out that is the focus of all of this effort.

I would love your comments.

Cheers!

-N