How to Write to Market in Romance

How to Write to Market in Romance

October 3, 2023 in Blog, Video, Writing Romance

Learn the pros and cons of writing to market, plus the steps to research and write a romance to market.

Text version is below the video.

What is Writing to Market?

If you were to read any entrepreneurial book or blog today, nearly all will recommend the following when deciding on your business produce or service; learn what people want or need, then provide it. That is the essence of writing to market. It’s learning what readers want and creating a story that fulfills the essence of what they’re looking for.

There are some who think this type of writing involves selling out or providing something formulaic or lacking in substance, which, to my mind, is insulting to readers. They don’t want formulas or shallow stories.

I think the backlash comes from the fact that most writers don’t have an entrepreneurial mindset, at least not when they start out. Switching from indulging their creativity to fulfilling a market need is seen as being different, as if one can’t be creative if they’re writing to market. But any author who wants to sell books, whether or not they write to market, needs to find readers, so either way, they need to provide something readers want.

Another concern is that writing to market means copying other writers, which is incorrect. Certainly, you want to study the books that are resonating with readers, but you don’t want to copy them. When you’re writing to market, you’re trying to tap into similar emotional triggers of successful books in your genre. It’s that adage of writing something similar but different.

Why would you want to write to market?

Any writer who has the goal of publishing and selling books MUST get to know their ideal reader. Traditionally, a writer would have a book and then go out to find their readers. In writing to market, you learn about the readers first by studying what’s selling.  You determine what the readers like and expect in themes, tones, style, and even cover design. Then you write a book that will appeal to that group. The advantage is that, in theory, you’ll ride the wave of popularity and sell books.

Finally, writing to market might make you a better writer by encouraging you to write in areas you might not have considered before. I have ghostwriting clients who have me write to market and it’s challenged and pushed me to write things I’d have never written on my own, which has made me a better writer.

Why would you not want to write to market?

If writing to market increases your chance of success, shouldn’t you do it?

Not necessarily. There are several reasons not to write to market.

First, it’s possible that the market is reading books that you don’t like or feel comfortable writing.  For example, maybe dark romances are all the rage, but you prefer something lighter. Maybe slow burn is popular, but you like to get your couple together earlier in the book. Perhaps you don’t want to write about a billionaire, or you’d rather have the billionaire be the woman.

You can force yourself to write something that you think will better fit the market, and it’s possible that doing so will expand your writing chops and make you a better writer. On the other hand, forcing your writing can potentially make you inauthentic, something that readers will notice and not like.

Second, there is no guarantee that your to-market book will sell.  Just because you write to the market doesn’t mean the market will find your book. And in fact, in some ways, being like everyone else means you don’t stand out.

Third, while market trends last for a while, some are fleeting. You have to write fast to get your book published during the heyday.

The good news is that in romance, the market is voracious and varied. Chances are good that there is a market that your stories can fit into.

How to write to market:

  1. Since most romances books sell on Amazon, visit the top 100 romances on Amazon. (If you plan to make most of your income from ebooks, which most indie authors do, search the Kindle store).
  2. Click on a subcategory (or trope) listed on the left-hand side of the page that interests you such as billionaire, military, LBGTQ, regency, etc.
  3. Study the books in the top 100 that fit your publishing goal (indie vs. traditional). Make note of things like:
      1. the cover
      2. the title
      3. the blurb
      4. Amazon ranking – if it ranks high for the category, check how it ranks in Amazon overall (or Amazon Kindle for self-pubbed books). A book could be #60 in a category, but if it’s 100,000 in Amazon, it’s not necessarily selling well and not one you’d want to judge the market on.

    Note that you can use tools to help you study the market. Popular ones include Publisher Rocket, Self-Publishing Titans (free and paid versions), and KDP Miner (free Chrome Extension).

  4. Read 2 or 3 books representative of the market. At the very least, read the excerpts that Amazon provides when you click on “Look Inside.” Usually, you can read a chapter or two and get a sense of the tone, voice, and style. Since many romance books that do well are in KDP, if you have Kindle Unlimited, reading lots of well-selling books is easier. But, unless you have to be exclusive on Amazon, don’t exclude romance books that are for sale on other platforms as well.
  5. When plotting and writing your story, you want to capture the same essence of the books that are doing well. By essence, I mean the feeling, not the actual plot. Remember, you want to make readers have a similar emotional experience but through a different story.
  6. Focus on your cover vibe. The cover is the first thing readers are going to see that tells them whether the book is in their wheelhouse. Have you noticed that most romcoms have the same cover style? When those readers are looking for romantic comedies, they skip right to the romcom-type cover. Spicy romances tend to have a sexy man on the cover. Dark covers often indicate a dark story such as mafia, paranormal, or suspense. Pastels or a happy, fully dressed couple on the cover generally suggest a sweet romance. Of course, you want to be careful about judging a book by its cover. These “rules” aren’t set in stone. With that said, covers are the first impression readers have of your book and from it decide whether to read the blurb and buy. If you’re writing to market, your cover should attract the market. Note that these trends can change, so it’s important to study them if your goal is to appeal to a specific reader.
  7. Next, make sure your blurb has a similar style and tone as those books that are selling. Like the cover, this is also where readers make the determination of if this book would be interesting to them. Study the blurbs in your market. Are they in first person? How provocative are they? Is the blurb written in paragraphs or many statements with spacing in between? Does it end with a question?

Remember, writing to market isn’t a guarantee of success. Yes, you have the potential to achieve success IF the market can find you. Along with writing to market, you still need to promote your book.

Preptober Writevember Challenge is Open - Join Free!

Preptober Writevember Challenge is Open – Join Free!

September 5, 2023 in Blog

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is coming in November! Millions of writers across the globe set out to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. Here at Write with Harte, I want to support your effort in accepting the NaNoWriMo challenge. Or, if you don’t want to do NaNoWriMo, you can join us in Writevember to achieve some other writing goal, whether it’s getting your lead magnet written, writing a novella, finishing a manuscript, etc.

To help with either or both goals, Write with Harte is running its free Preptober and Writevember challenge.

What is Preptober?

Preptober is the name given by NaNoWriMo participants for the month of October, where they plan out their writing project for November. While NaNoWriMo rules state that writer must work on a brand new project in November, there are no rules against planning and plotting.

At Write With Harte, the Preptober challenge provides a daily email to help you plan and plot your project (even if you’re a pantster), so that when November rolls around, you are all set to start and finish on time.

What is NaNoWriMo?

If you’re a writer, odds are you’ve heard about National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), in which writers attempt to write 50,000 words in 30 days during the month of November. It sounds crazy. It sort of is, particularly if you’re a writer who can’t stand to write badly. Chris Baty, the creator of NaNoWriMo, and other participants agree that the month-long writing marathon is all about getting a badly written rough draft. You might be wondering, why bother to write like a madman just to get a bad draft? The answer it two-fold:

1) Bragging rights. Let’s face it, it sounds impressive to say you wrote 50,000 words in a month.

2) Completing a draft of a novel. Yes, it’s bad draft, but often the hardest part of writing is the first draft. Whether you write the draft in 30 days or 30 months, it’s not going to be presentable. No first drafts are. With NaNoWriMo, At the end of the 30 days, you have 50,000 towards a completed book. Most people never finish a book. Others who write a book take months, if not years, to finish. If you’re serious about writing a book, NaNoWriMo can jump start your effort.

Many NaNoWriMo particpants have parlayed their 50,000 words, after lots of editing, into a published work, including Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants, Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, and Harley Jane Kozak’s Keeper of the Moon.

I know it sounds daunting, particularly in the middle of the holidays, but it can be done. The trick to success in NaNoWriMo is to have a plan (that’s what Preptober is for) and to average 1,667 words a day, which is really not that much, if you know what you want to write.

Some writers believe NaNoWriMo is a gimmick that promotes poor writing. I can spend a whole other blog post questioning why writing more words in less time is automatically considered “poor writing.” Instead, I’ll share my thoughts that NaNoWriMo is a great way for a would-be or struggling writer to jump-start new writing habits and to start and finish a book.

What is Writevember?

Writevember is Write with Harte’s version of NaNoWriMo. It’s set to coincide with NaNoWriMo if that is what WWH members want to attempt. However, I also know that writers might have other projects they want to work on that don’t fit into the NaNoWriMo rules (50,000 words of a new, never-before started novel). Writevember allows writers to pick their own writing challenge for November. Ideas include finishing an already-started novel. Writing a 30,000 word novella. Writing two 30,000 word novellas. Writing 1,000 or 80,000 words.

Further, writers who join WWH’s challenge receive daily tips, support, and motivation to achieve their goal.

FREE Preptober and Writevember Romance Writing Challenge

I’ve participated in NaNoWriMo for more years than I can remember. I haven’t always been successful at hitting the 50,000 word mark, but even then I came out with more words than I might have if I’d never signed up. The challenge for me was running out of steam and words about 10 days in. That coupled with the idea that 1,667 words a day was crazy, sometimes I’d give up.

Since I’ve become a ghost writer, averaging a book a month, I’ve learned that 1,667 isn’t so much IF you have a plan. In the WWH Preptober and Writevember Challenge I share with you my tips, hacks, and secrets for writing a lot of words in a short time.

The goal of the Preptober and Writevember is two-fold:

  1. Plan a novel (October)
  2. Write a novel (November)

The challenge starts October 1st, and each day in October, you’ll get an email with information, tips, and homework to plan your romance novel. Most lessons won’t take very long. Others might take an hour. Of course, finding time will be covered so that when November comes, you have the time and organized ideas to write 1,667 words in an hour or 90 minutes (or whatever your daily goal will be).

You’ll continue to get a daily email in November with additional tips, inspiration, and pacing cues to help you stay on track.

Along with daily emails, there will be weekly Zoom meetings to recap the week’s goals, ask questions, and get support.

Participants can connect between calls by joining the private Romance Writing Challenge group here at Write with Harte. If you haven’t joined Write with Harte, it is free, and gives you access to a variety of tools, as well as the ability to take part in groups and forums.

Don’t wait, join now! Learn more and sign up for free here: Preptober and Writevember Romance Writing Challenge

PS: If you’ve taken the challenge before and want to take it again, you’ll need to sign up again. Overall, the challenge is the same as previous years, with a few updates.

From Fanfiction to Author: How Writing Fan Fic Elevates Your Writing Game

From Fanfiction to Author: How Writing Fan Fic Elevates Your Writing Game

August 1, 2023 in Blog, Writing Romance

Table of Contents

Text version of this video is below.

There is a question about whether or not writers are born or made. I believe there are those born with the gift of wordcraft, but I also know that writing can be learned. I’m proof of it.

The hard part for those not naturally gifted is learning about and then executing good writing. That is where writing fanfiction can help.

You’ve probably heard of fanfiction. Perhaps you’ve even written some. Maybe you’re like E.L. James, Cassandra Clare, Rainbow Rowell, Marissa Meyer, Amanda Hocking, Hugh Howie, and Meg Cabot, all of whom once wrote fanfiction and who are now published authors. Even yours truly also started by writing fanfiction.

If you currently write fanfiction, this article can help use your fanfiction to work on various elements of your writing. If you’ve never written fanfiction, this article can still be of use to you as you can use it as an exercise to hone your craft.

What is Fanfiction?

Fanfiction are works of fiction written in somebody else’s existing world using their existing characters. Right off the bat, you’re probably wondering if it’s legal. Using somebody else’s characters and world would be copyright infringement. And of course, that is true if you wanted to make money from fanfiction.

But fanfiction isn’t about publishing and money. It’s an expression of love for books, TV shows, movies or other fictional media. It is like people who draw fan art except instead of drawing, they’re writing. It is a form of literary expression that allows writers to expand, re-imagine, and play within the worlds of their favorite works. And it gives nonwriting fans who read fanfiction the chance to see their favorite characters put into new storylines.

At first you might think fanfiction is something that has grown with the advent of the Internet, and fans being able to connect and engage around their favorite books, tv shows, movies, or video games. But fans have been rewriting or expanding favorite works for centuries. More recently, Star Trek fans created fanzines where fanfiction would be shared.

I started writing fanfiction at eleven years old (before computers!) using lined paper and a Pee Chee folder to hold my stories in. Then later in the 1990s, I started writing fanfiction using a different TV show. By then the Internet was established, so I was able to share my work with others who enjoyed the show and my stories. In fact, one of my stories was stolen, twice. It was that experience that had me wondering if maybe I could write. Truthfully, at that time, I was nowhere near where I needed to be as a published author, but through fanfiction, I was able to practice and learn. Even today, I still sometimes write fanfiction testing out new ways of writing.

Types of Fan Fiction

Canon: These can be long stories or short vignettes that stick faithfully to the world and characters created by the original creator.

Alternate universe (AU) fanfiction: These stories change elements of the original creations to explore different timelines, what-if scenarios, or other alternate forms.

Crossover fanfiction: For fans of more than one show, movie, book, or game, these stories combine characters from multiple universes into a single story.

Slash fanfiction (slashfic): These stories explore LGBTGQ romantic or sexual relationships between fictional characters. Initially it referred to only M/M fiction, it now includes any same-sex pairing, although some refer to F/F fanfiction as femslash.

Smut fanfiction: I imagine you can guess what this is. These are stories that focused solely on explicit sexual content.

Drabble: This is a term for any fiction with only 100 words, but is found in fanfiction circles.

There is one other form of fanfiction that has grown recently in which some authors allow other authors to write in their worlds. For example, Susan Stoker publishes books by other authors who write in her world. Dead But Not Forgotten, the most recent book in my Valentine Mystery series was written in her Operation Alpha world using one of her characters.

Why Write Fanfiction?

Writing fanfiction offers many benefits to new and emerging writers.

The World and People Already Exist: One of the biggest challenges in writing is staring at a blank page. What is the story? The setting? The people? In writing fanfiction, these elements are already established, so you can dive headfirst into that universe and start moving the people around. It’s like stepping into a literary wonderland where you can explore the landscapes, interact with the characters, and feel the emotions that already pulse through the original work.

Gain Understanding of Characters and How they Breathe on the Page: By delving into these pre-existing worlds, you gain an understanding of the dynamics between characters, their motivations, the conflicts, and the intricacies of their relationships, all important elements to writing a romance.

Further, fanfiction gives you practice in writing without having to delve into character development, backstories, etc. You already have all that and all you have to do is move them around.

Discover Your Writing Voice: While the world and characters might exist, how you tell your story isn’t set. Your voice is how your unique writing personality tells the story, from word choice, tone, structure, etc. As you experiment with different styles, explore various genres, and craft original characters, you uncover your unique writing voice and style.

Get Feedback and Kudos: Another reason to write fanfiction get reader response and excitement about your stories. These readers love to see their favorite characters in new situations, and you can build a fanbase from them.

Build Writing Confidence: The process of sharing your fanfiction with the fan world, and receiving feedback and appreciation from fellow fans fosters confidence in your writing abilities. Yes, it can be scary to share your work, but with fanfiction, you get practice in “publishing” so when you write original fiction, you’ll be prepared for the emotions that go with it.

Learn from Other Fanfiction Writers: By joining a fanfiction community, you can learn from other fanfiction writers. Engaging with fellow fanfiction authors, sharing ideas, and exchanging constructive feedback helps you grow and improve as a writer. As you explore the diverse works of others, you unearth insights, techniques, and narrative approaches that can broaden your horizons as a writer.

How to Hone Your Craft Through Writing Fanfiction

The aspect of fanfiction that makes writing easier is that the basic elements already exist, the world and the people. From that, you simply need to come up with story ideas and write. Things to consider are:

  1. The world itself. Is it in space? Set back in time? In a dystopian future? You know what it is and now you can practice describing it with words.
  2. The characters. What are their backstories? Personalities? Conflicts? Quirks? Again, you know these people, so now you can practice making them move and talk.

Practice Writing: As you move the characters through the world, you’re practicing your craft. Whether it’s mastering the art of imagery, refining your descriptive prowess, creating believable dialogue, or perfecting the delicate balance of showing and telling, fanfiction provides a safe haven to explore and stretch your writing muscles.

Practice Plotting:The fun in fanfiction is creating stories that you wish the book, show, movie or game had offered. Want to see two characters finally find love together? You can do that in fanfiction. Want to write an origin story for your favorite character? You can do that. Through this process, you learn to balance pacing, tension, and conflict. You can also learn to create subplots, weaving additional storylines for more engaging plots.

Play with Writing Styles and Perspectives: Fanfiction allows you to challenge yourself or try new things. I used fanfiction to see if I could write first person present tense stories. You can use it to practice writing from different points of view. If you’re a light writer, you can try your hand at something darker with fanfiction.

Develop Characters: While a fanfiction world is already populated, there’s no rule that says you can’t add more people. Through the integration of original characters, you practice creating well-defined people that interact with canon figures.

Challenges to Writing Fanfiction

While writing fanfiction offers some benefits by jumping into an existing world, there are a few challenges to consider.

Respecting Source Material and Canon: Fanfiction pays homage to specific worlds and people. While you might have some leeway in your story to push the boundaries, fans of this world have an expectation to recognize it and the people within it. It’s a delicate tightrope between artistic expression and the responsibility to honor the worlds and characters that have already captured the hearts of fans.

The secret to mastering this art lies in striking the perfect balance of embracing your unique ideas while simultaneously being mindful of the elements that fans hold dear. Remember that fanfiction allows for endless possibilities, but all contained in a single world.

Dealing with Criticism and Negative Feedback: Let’s face it, sometimes people on the internet aren’t nice or supportive and that can be true in the fanfiction world. Some fans might not like the story or how you presented the characters. Others might have comments on the quality of the writing itself. Criticism sucks, but it is a part of the writer’s life. Fanfiction gives you the chance to use feedback to improve and develop the thick skin needed to be an author.  Embrace feedback as a catalyst for improvement, a chance to refine your craft, and an invitation to explore different facets of storytelling. Remember that fanfiction is an art form, and like all art, it invites subjective interpretation.

The Cons of Writing Fanfiction and Limitations

While fanfiction is a great place to practice writing, it has some limitations in what you can gain from this type of writing.

Cons of Writing Fanfiction

Lack of Originality: The fanfiction world was conceived by someone else and you’re simply visiting. The dependency on source material poses challenges in developing wholly original ideas and concepts. As much as you may yearn to break free from the source material, the pull of canon lingers. While you may craft new scenarios or alternate universes, the foundation must be rooted in existing canon. This can impede you creative potential, as you navigate the boundaries set by the original creators.

Many fanfiction writers made the move to original fiction at the point in which they felt constrained by the source material’s canon and wanted to create something original.

Dependency on Source Material: Fanfiction thrives on our love for the source material, but this very adoration can be a double-edged sword. As a writer, you find yourself relying on pre-established character traits and relationships to anchor the narratives. While this can provide a sense of comfort and familiarity, it may limit your exploration of characters’ growth beyond what the original work allowed.

Feedback Bias: Earlier I suggested some fans might be critical, but the more likely scenario is that fans will love your work no matter how well you write. The adoration from fans, while uplifting, might not always provide the critical feedback needed for growth. This is especially true since fan readers know the sources material as well and will layer that over your writing. This is a problem because your setting descriptions, or dialogue, or character expressions might not be to the level required in original fiction, but since fan readers know these things, they see it without you expressing or describing it.

Not Considered “Published” Works: When it comes to getting an agent or publisher, your fanfiction may not help you, although it shouldn’t hinder you either. Fanfiction posted online won’t be considered a publishing credit by agents and publishers. The only exception to this would be if you had a significant fan base, which is what happened to Anna Todd who turned her fanfiction about One Direction into the After series.

What Fanfiction Might Not Teach You About Writing

Fanfiction offers you practice in many elements of writing, but not so much in other elements such as:

Original World-Building: In fanfiction, readers already possess a level of familiarity with the worlds you explore. In contrast, original works demand that you introduce readers to entirely new realms of your creation.

Character Creation: In fanfiction, you have the foundation of pre-established characters. In the realm of original works, however, you have to build 3-D characters from the ground up. Crafting multi-dimensional personas with flaws, dreams, wounds, and conflicts sounds easy enough, but in fact, can be a challenge for many would-be writers.

Crafting Character Arcs and Growth over the Course of a Story: While fanfiction might allow for character development within established canon, original works require you to mold the characters’ destinies entirely.

Developing Relationships and Dynamics Between Original Characters: In fanfiction, you explore the dynamics between pre-existing characters. In original works, the challenge lies in creating authentic and captivating relationships between entirely new personas. You must navigate the complexities of friendships, romances, and conflicts in a way that feels real to the reader.

Creating Compelling and Unpredictable Storylines: While fanfiction benefits from the foundation of established plotlines, original works present the exhilarating albeit challenging opportunity to create unique and original narratives. Fanfiction writers often use the formula or structure of the source material, whereas in original fiction, you have to decide your structure to offer intrigue, mystery, and unexpected twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Balancing Pacing, Tension, and Conflict in New Narratives: Fanfiction often derives tension and conflict from the original material. In original works, you are the architect of every rise and fall of suspense, which requires you to learn about pacing and tension throughout a story.

Writing Book Length Works: Fanfiction comes in all lengths from short story to never-ending hundreds of thousands of words tomes. But books have very specific word counts, especially if you want to be traditionally published. A first-time author will have a difficult time selling an original romance that is less than 50,000 words or more than 90,000 (unless fantasy is involved in which case you might be able to have up to 120,000 words). With that said, knowing this, you can use fanfiction to help you learn how to plot and write within these word count constraints.

Transitioning from Fanfiction to Original Romance Writing

As you become an expert fanfiction writer, you develop the skills and experiences that lay the foundation to write original romance stories. There are several ways to make this transition:

Turn Fanfiction into Original Fiction: Many fanfiction writers start their transition by rewriting a fanfiction into a new story. In doing this, you may want to use a similar world and characters by simply changing names, but you need to be careful with this. You can land in hot water if your “original” is too easily recognized as a fanfiction but with different names. If you read E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Gray, would you have recognized Edward and Bella from Twilight? Or how about Anna Todd’s After series? Did you think of the band One Direction? Or Clarissa Clare’s Mortal Instruments Series? Did it remind you of Harry Potter?

The trick to transitioning from a fanfiction story to original fiction involves more than changing names. You want to change their backstories. If the backstory from the fanfiction is important to your new original story, change some element of it. If the character was orphaned, change when or how or where that happened. Change what they look like. Change the settings and locations. In the end, it shouldn’t be recognizable as fanfiction.

Fanfiction Reimagined: There have been many books lately reimaging myths or The Beauty and Beast fairy tale. These books have the essence of their original counterparts, and yet are completely different. You can do this with your fanfiction characters. You can have the essence of them, and yet they’re completely reimagined with different jobs, backgrounds, and settings (this is what I did). This is a safer bet than taking one of your old fanfictions and trying to turn it into original fiction as outlined above.

100% Original: Sometimes transitioning from fanfiction to original story is easier because while you’ve made changes, you still know the characters. However, there’s no reason why you can’t jump straight into something wholly new and original. Create brand new characters. Build a new world. If you get stuck on developing characters or a world from scratch, check out books, blogs, and other resources that can help you. Or just start writing and let the characters and world evolve as you write.

The Journey from Fanfiction Writer to Published Author

Bridging the chasm between fanfiction and professional writing may seem daunting, but many authors have made the leap. In fact, now that you have a fanfiction fanbase, you have a group of readers ready to support you!

The process of getting published has many moving parts whether you want to self-publish or traditionally publish. It all starts with revising your book and hiring an editor. After that, you can seek an agent or publisher, or go the self-publishing route.

There is a great deal of information and resources on getting published that I encourage you to read. The more you know, the easier the process is!

   

Also, consider grabbing a copy of The Romance Author’s Novel Organizer, which is packed with note pages, checklists, planners and more to take your romance story from idea to published book.
Organizing a Romance Novel Writing Project

Want to Try Your Hand at Fanfiction?

Do you have a favorite book, TV show, movie or video game? Did you ever wish the characters did something different or that the creator explored some facet you felt fell short? Write it! Use this exercise to work on areas you feel your writing can benefit from such as how to write setting or dialogue. Or use it to test out new ways of writing such as writing in first person if you normal write in third.

You don’t have to write a complete story. It can be a single scene or vignette.

Where to post your fanfiction:

There are many sites onto which you can post your stories. This will help you gain feedback, and it’s possible you’ll grow an audience that will follow you to your original fiction.

Here are a few sites to check out for posting your fanfiction. Some are easier to use than others and some offer more bells and whistles.

Wattpad

Fanfiction.net

Archive Of Our Own

Quotev

Webnovel

Ficwad

Also check on Facebook for fanfiction groups. The fanfiction that I write is posted in Google Docs and I share the link in a Facebook group dedicated to fanfiction of this particular show. 

Be sure to check my interview with Suzy England, who I met originally when we both wrote fanfiction for the same show. She’s now a traditionally published author! Write with Harte members can also check out this deeper dive into how she used Wattpad to build her audience that led to her publishing career. Not a member? You can join here for free.

Do you write fanfiction and have more thoughts on how writing fanfiction helps writers? Or maybe you have a question about writing fanfiction. Let me know in the comments below. 

Write with Harte Critique Group Poll

Write with Harte Romance Writer Critique Group

July 21, 2023 in Blog

I’m a big believer in critique groups, but it has become painfully clear that my group isn’t always the best at critiquing romance. Many things they suggest that I change are the very things that make my book a romance. The very best writers to critique romance are other romance writers so I’d like to organize a critique group with Write with Harte Members. This would be another perk of WWH membership.

Rules and guidelines will be established, but before we get to that, I’d like to know how many of you would also like to join a critique group, the best days/times for you, your thoughts on the structure of the group, and anything else you’d like to share. If you could complete the survey below, I’d appreciate it!

 

Organizing a Romance Novel Writing Project

Organizing a Romance Novel Writing Project from Idea to Bestseller

July 18, 2023 in Blog, Tools & Resources, Writing Romance

Writing and publishing a book seems like a fairly straightforward process. It’s only after you start your novel project that you realize there are many moving parts. Organizing thoughts and ideas. Revision. Editing. Publishing options. Queries, synopsis, blurbs, and loglines. Cover design. Launch plans. Marketing (a project in and of itself).

Not only do you need to complete all these tasks, but you have to do it within your time and resource constraints.

The good news is that it can be done. But to do it with minimal overwhelm and stress, you need a plan and a system.

I have found it much easier to keep track of my novels by treating them as projects. Within each project, I have all the notes and ideas, schedules, trackers, planners, etc. for each book. I basically plan out more than just the writing, but all tasks to get my book from idea to selling. Here’s how:

Creating Time and Space for Your WIP

Before you start writing, make the time and space to work on your novel. You don’t have to write copious amounts of words every day, but you can’t expect to write a novel in incidental pockets of free time available in your daily life. That means you need to create the time and schedule it in for your writing project. This can include the times you’re going to work on your novel, as well as what you’ll specifically do during those times, whether it’s writing a specific chapter, meeting a word count, or doing publishing or marketing tasks.

But you don’t just need time to write, you also need a place to write. Your writing space should be comfortable and well lit. Ideally, it should be away from distractions. The easiest way to get butt-in-chair is for your space to be readily available so that you can sit down at your allotted time and jump right into the work that you need to do. If you have to set up your writing location, you use up time that could be better spent working on your novel.

Define Your Writing Goals for Your WIP

Setting goals is easy. It’s achieving them that is difficult. The best way to achieve your goals is to have a plan.

Most goal setting experts suggest picking an end date and working backwards to fill in the due dates of very tasks related to the project. The same is true in your novel project. Decide a date that you’d like to publish your book, and then work backwards filling in deadlines for the various activities such as when you need to get your first draft completed, editing, formatting, and all the other tasks related to writing and publishing and marketing a book.

Setting your publishing date goal along with the deadlines for all the various activities, can help you determine how much writing you need to do and how often to meet your first draft deadline. For example, if you would like to publish your book in six months, you need to give yourself 3-6 weeks for pre-publishing marketing, 2 weeks for editing (or whatever your editor needs), time for book revisions after edits, time for cover design, and of course, time to write the book. If your timeline dictates that you need to get your book to the editor 3 months before publication, then you have 12 weeks to write, revise, and edit.

The nice thing about knowing how much time you have to write to meet your goal, means you can determine your daily or weekly wordcount. If you have 12 weeks to write 70,000 words, that means you need write 5,834 a week, or 833 words a day for seven days, 1167 words for five days a week. Is that doable for you? If so, awesome. If not, you need to rethink your end date for publication.

This might seem like a lot of busy work, but setting realistic deadlines and milestones with your project will help keep you on track.

Take Your Novel from Idea to Draft

Each writer is unique and how they take the kernel of an idea and turn it into a novel. Some tasks they might do include keeping notes and sketches about characters and setting, plotting or storyboarding, research, and the actual writing.

Again, there’s a lot going on here and ou need a system in which you can keep all these ideas, notes, plots, and your task lists organized. Some authors use notebooks. Others use Scrivener. I created my own system in which I corralled each book project into its own organizer.

Editing and Revising Your Manuscript

Once you have a completed first draft, it’s time to go through it, revising and editing as needed.  The challenge is that there are so many things you need to look for during revisions and edits. You need to make sure that each scene has a purpose and is working to drive the story. You need to make sure the story flows and make sense. Are there any issues with the timeline, and are all the names consistent? You also need to beef up the quality of the prose by reducing or eliminating weak words, passive sentences, and choosing active verbs over adverbs. Then of course, there’s punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

Developing an editing and revising system and checklist was one of the first things I created for myself because there were so many things to consider during the process an inevitably something was missed. A revision checklist ensures I look for all possible issues.

Beyond editing and revision that you do, is editing by a professional editor you hire or with your publisher. If you plan to find a traditional publisher, you should still hire an editor, but short of that, use a tool like Prowriting Aid, Grammerly, or Autocrit to edit your book. Agents and publishers receive tons of submissions daily, which means you’re competing with many other authors for a coveted spot. Don’t let poor writing or typos impede finding a traditional publisher.

Formatting, Proofreading, and Preparing for Publication

Your book is written and professionally edited. If you’re working with a publisher, you can skip this and go right to marketing planning. If you’re self-publishing, now is the time to package your book for the end reader. This means formatting the book for whatever format you intend to sell it in. Ideally, you want to read it in its formatted state to ensure it looks write, as well as last chance to find errors in the words. But because you’re more likely to read what you intended and not what you wrote, this is a good time to have outside readers look at it.

Finally, prepare the book for publication, including ordering a cover, writing the blurb, and determining what marketplaces you’ll sell the book in.

Marketing

It would be nice if books automatically found their way to readers, but alas, the book marketplace is a crowded one.

First, it’s never too early to market your book. It doesn’t have to be written before you tell others about it. When you decide you want to publish is the time to begin marketing, starting by building your author platform. This includes building a website, starting an email list, and joining social media used by your target reader.

Next, figure out how you’re going to reach these readers. What sort of content are you going to create that speaks to them? Where will you post it?

Marketing is a ginormous topic and task that overwhelms many authors, me included. It’s why I include a launch checklist, marking content ideas, and a plan in my novel project organizer.

 

Ways to Organize Your Author Project

Organization and planning isn’t one-size-fits all. You have to find the tools and systems that work for you. Here are a few you can try:

  1. School notebook: These have places to keep notes and ideas, paste images, sketch drawings, outline and more. Some have pockets where you can store other papers.
  2. Binder: This works like a school notebook, but is sturdier and gives you some customization in terms of type of paper (e.g. lined or grid), and other inserts such as dividers or pockets. It’s easy to punch holes in other papers to add to a binder as well.
  3. Notion: I love this app as it does so many things. For a while I used it for my writing projects, and while I still use it for some things, I know use my own paper system. Notion has a database system that you can set up like a Kanban board or spread sheet to track your project. You can create a novel project template that you can use for each book that allows you to store notes, research, pictures, and track tasks.
  4. Scrivener: I’ll be honest, I’ve tried Scrivener so many times and just haven’t been able to get it to work for me based on how I work. But it does have cool bells and whistles to store notes and research, pictures, outlines, character sketches and more. YOu can find free templates for romance and other genres (members have access to Write with Harte’s Romance Scrivener Template on the Freebies page).
  5. Google Drive: This is a storage space, but with in it, you can store docs, spreadsheets, pictures, websites and more.
  6. The Romance Author’s Novel Organizer:

romance novel organizer cover imageOkay, so this is blatant self-promotion, but the Romance Author’s Novel Organizer is what I use to manage my novel writing projects. It covers the entirety of a project from idea to premise to plotting to characters to writing schedule to revising/editing to publishing to marketing. It’s over 120 pages of information, tips, worksheets, checklists, trackers, plotters, planners, notes, sketches, storyboards and more.

 

Romance Author Novel Organizer

I grab one for each project and it keeps everything…all my ideas, schedules, to-dos, and more for each book.

The Romance Author’s Novel Organizer is available in print at Amazon.com or you can get a digital PDF version that you can download and print in the Write with Harte/Jenna Harte shop.

 

Getting a book from idea to the marketplace is a big project with many small moving parts. Having a system to keep it all organized will keep you on task and on pace to meet your publishing goals.

Do you have other ideas on how to stay on top of all the tasks in writing, publishing, and marketing a romance novel? Let me know in the comments.

Camp NaNoWriMo at Write with Harte

Camp NaNoWriMo July 2023: Free Downloadable Camp Nano Planner

June 24, 2023 in Blog

It’s that time of year again. Camp NaNoWriMo! And Write with Harte is here to help you meet your writing goals in July with tips on preparing for camp, a free downloadable Camp Nano planner, accountability group, and more!

What is Camp NaNoWriMo?

Camp NaNoWriMo differs from traditional NaNoWriMo (50,000 in 30 days) in that you can set your own writing goal. Want to revise the book you wrote for NaNoWriMo in November? You can do that at Camp NaNoWriMo. Want to write a play or a short story? You can do that too. Here are other ideas for Camp NaNoWriMo:

  • A novella
  • Poetry
  • Screenplay
  • Music
  • Nonfiction
  • Or, my favorite use of Camp Nanowrimo, finish something already started

If you haven’t been making progress on your writing goals, Camp NaNoWriMo is just the thing to jumpstart your writing habit and make progress. You can set goals that fit with your time and project, but remember that whole point is to challenge yourself to achieve something in your writing, whether that’s finishing a project, plotting a novel, or whatever you have that needs attention.

Camp NaNoWriMo Prep

  1. Decide your writing goals. What do you hope to achieve during Camp NaNoWriMo. Consider the following questions:
  • What is the primary goal for your writing project? Is it completing a first draft, revising a manuscript, or starting a new project?
  • How many words or pages to you need to write to meet that goal during the month?
  • What specific milestones or targets would you like to reach by the end of Camp NaNoWriMo?
  1. Determine what you need to meet your goal. Consider your available time, energy levels, and other commitments in July as you plot out what you can realistically achieve. You want to challenge yourself, but don’t set a goal that is unachievable. If you can only commit to one hour a day, setting a goal to write 60,ooo words might be too much (unless you dictate).
  2. Plot your path. Based on your time, energy, and size of project, divide your writing goal into smaller, manageable chunks. Determine how many words or pages you need to write per day or week to stay on track. This will provide a clear roadmap for your writing journey.
  3. Create time and space to work on your project. Writing goals are difficult to achieve in haphazard snippets of time. Instead, be intentional with your writing, setting up times and a place to work on your project. Ideally, schedule your writing project to-dos at your peak mental energy hours. If that’s not possible, do your best to find blocks of time that will allow you to meet your daily or weekly goals. Your workspace should be light, comfortable, inviting and inspiring.
  4. Camp NaNoWriMo Plan SheetPlan your writing. Even if you’re a pantster, you’ll find it easier if you know what you plan to say when you sit down to write. If you’re revising, decide what chapters you’re going to edit each day and what you’re focused on, whether it’s story, grammar, or tightening your prose. The goal is to know exactly what you’re tackling so you can get right to it at your scheduled time. To help you, download the Camp Nanowrimo Planner Here.
  5. Research and gather resources. If your project requires research, gather relevant materials and resources in advance. For example, if you’re revising, make sure your ProWritingAid or other editor is up-to-date and working. Or check that your phrase books are nearby when you find words and phrases you want to improve. If you need to research for the story, have that done in advance so you can access it and keep writing without interruption.
  6. Have a plan for problems. Anticipate issues that could make it difficult to work on your project and find solutions. Do you suffer from writer’s procrastination? How can you motivate yourself to get BIC (butt in chair)? Are you stuck on what to write next? How can you get unstuck? Is family dropping by or the dishwasher broke? How can you re-organize your time to make up what you lost? Make a list of potential hinderances to working on your project and ways to address them so they don’t slow you down.
  7. Seek support and accountability. You don’t have to go far for that! Join the Write with Harte accountability group, or join in on NaNoWriMo at the WWH Facebook group. Not a member of Write with Harte? Join here free! If you’ve officially joined Camp NaNoWriMo, connect with fellow writers, share your progress, and find support and motivation through its forums. Consider finding a writing buddy or accountability partner to help you stay on track and celebrate milestones together.
18 Effective Email List Ideas for Romance Authors

18 Effective Email List Ideas for Romance Authors

June 12, 2023 in Blog, Marketing

Like many romance authors, I struggled for a time with my email list. I did all the things necessary to set it up, but I’d get stuck on what to email each week. But finally, I found my groove and I email my list each week.

You can read the text version below the video.

Free Author Email Planner available to Write with Harte Members. Not a member? Join here free.

Below are 18 ideas on what you can send your email list. But before we get to that, I want to mention a couple of things that I think are important when considering what to email your subscribers.

Email subscribers have raised their hands (or in this case, given you their email), so they need to be treated well. Part of that means, not sending them only “buy my book” emails.

Also, email subscribers are your readers, fans, or people who are interested in you. They want to know and engage with you. Your emails should reflect that. While email is a marketing tool, don’t treat your subscribers as “prospects” or “buyers.” I think of my subscribers as friends I’m having coffee with so the emails I send them are friendly, engaging, and fun. I don’t want them to see my email and think “marketing.” I want them to think, “I wonder what craziness Jenna is up to this week.”

In the end, authors who have a connection with their readers, have greater subscriber retention and sales, so think about your email as contacting a friend, not selling books.

Planning Your Email

If you don’t have an email or are new to email marketing, be sure to check out Build Your Author Email List of Raving Fans. Once your list is growing, you need to email them regularly. It’s easiest to do this if you have a plan.

  1. How often will you email? Weekly? Twice a month? I wouldn’t do less than once a month as your subscriber might forget they subscribed.
  2. What will be the format of your email? This is extremely helpful in coming up with your content. For example, my format is to open with a personal story, situation, or anecdote. Next I have something book related, which could be a special offer or sale or a new release, but it could also be research I’m doing or a snippet of something I wrote. Sometimes it’s about what I’m reading and has nothing to do with my books. Note, that in my “book” section, I don’t always have “buy my book.” In fact, while I have a link to my special offer in my signature, I actively promote a once a month or so (unless there’s something going on like a sale or new release). A good book about the ratio of informative/entertaining content to sales content is Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary V. It’s older, but still good.
  3. Consider releases, holidays, or themes. Keep track of what’s going on in your writing (e.g. releases), special holidays or events, or have themes for your email. This too can help you come up with ideas. For example, if it’s March, perhaps an email about spring cleaning books…assuming anyone gets rid of books.

Email Ideas

Below are 18 ideas you can use to provide fun and informative information to your subscribers. It goes without saying that you don’t have to do all 18 of these ideas each week. Instead, use this list to plot your emails a month or so at a time, mixing things up so it’s interesting and rewarding for your subscribers.

1. Sneak Peeks

Share exclusive excerpts or early chapters from your upcoming romance novels. I love this because it’s like teasers that get your readers excited about the book.

2. Character Profiles

Introduce your readers to your characters. You can do it like an interview, or, like Pippa Grant, you can have your characters write part of the email. Or you can share the character’s profile, delving into their backgrounds, personalities, and motivations, letting readers know how you molded the character.  Share fun facts or behind-the-scenes insights that will make your readers feel connected to your characters on a personal level. I’ve been known to share images or recipes related to my characters’ interests.

3. Cover Reveals

Like teasers, cover reveals are a great way to get your readers excited about a new release. Perhaps you can ask for your readers’ feedback on covers in a “This or That” cover poll, which gets them invested in your book. Offer a glimpse into the design process, revealing the inspiration and emotions behind the creation.

4. Reader Polls and Feedback

Even when I’m not doing an official poll, I’m often asking my subscribers questions and for their feedback. This builds a connection and relationship between me and my readers, and empowers my readers, making them feel a part of my writing success…which they are! Other options for polls include choosing characters names or titles. I had polls deciding on a breed dog for a character. Once, I admitted to wanting to kill one of my characters and asked my readers’ thoughts about it. (It was a resounding NO!).

5. Exclusive Short Stories

Remember when I said your subscribers have given you something important? They should be rewarded for that by getting things that no one else gets. I’ve done this a couple of times, and readers enjoy it. It can be exclusive forever, or a story they get first.

As far as what to write, keep it your world. Perhaps write a prequel or sequel story. Or if you’re thinking of a new story idea, write a little something and see what your readers think.

6. Exclusive Bonus Content

Similar to exclusive stories, but shorter, you can create bonus content for your subscribers. For a year or so, my ghost writing client asked me to write a 2000-word bonus chapter that went to her email list. Sometimes it was a deleted scene or an extended epilogue. Other bonus content options include alternative endings or a between-the-books vignette, if you’re writing a series (this is what I want to do for my Valentine series).

7. Exclusive Discounts or Giveaways

Reward your loyal readers with special discounts or limited-time promotions on your books. Alternatively, host giveaways where readers can win signed copies, merchandise, or even a chance to be a character in your next book. These gestures of appreciation deepen the relationship between you and your audience.

8. Author Events and Appearances

Let your readers know about your upcoming book signings, author panels, or online events where they can meet you in person or engage in virtual discussions. Include links for registration or ticket purchase, allowing your audience to be part of your author journey beyond the pages of your novels.

9. In the News

If you’ve been interviewed, won an award, or received rave reviews, let your subscribers know.

10. Q&A Sessions

Invite your readers to submit burning questions about your books or your writing process. Select a few intriguing queries and provide detailed answers in your newsletter. You can even use it on social media for a live session. This interactive approach not only builds a personal connection with your audience, but also provides valuable insights into your craft.

11. Book Recommendations

My onboarding emails include some tidbits about authors that I enjoy and/or inspire me. I often share my TBR list or what I’m currently reading. I also ask them what they’re reading which serves several purposes: 1. It has the subscriber engaging with me, 2. Provides me important insight into my readers’ preferences that I can use to help me in finding more readers, and 3. It might be a book I want to read.

12. Writing Tips

Remember, your goal is to connect with readers. If your email is focused on writers, you’ll get a lot of writers subscribing, but they may not be people who want to read what you write. So your email list should focus on your target reader and what they like to read. With that said, you can offer insights or tips into writing. After all, every romance author I know started out as a romance reader.

13. Collaboration News

If you’re collaborating with other romance authors on an anthology or joint project, share updates and sneak peeks with your readers. Let them in on the excitement and build anticipation for the release. While you’re at it, consider a swap with your collaborator(s), so that you’re not only sharing the project, but each other’s works.

14. Author’s Life

Share glimpses into your personal life as an author. Talk about your writing routine, inspirations, or hobbies. Let your readers get to know you beyond your books. I shared with my readers when my cat died. I talked about how strange it was when I didn’t have to meet my kids off the bus anymore because they were now in college.

15. Factoids, Tidbits, News Related to Your Topic

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. If there’s something going on in the real world that relates to what you write about, share it. For example, I once pondered to my subscribers about what my characters would have done during the pandemic.

I wrote about the Hope Diamond, and included the new (at the time) information that revealed it was once the French Blue. I also shared the curse.

I have a character who is afraid to fly, so when I flew into San Francisco (the landing gets close to the bay) I took a picture and shared it with my readers asking them what they thought the character would think being that close to the water during the landing.

16. Fan Spotlights

Highlight and celebrate your readers by featuring their reviews, fan art, or personal stories related to your books. Show them that you appreciate their support.

17. Celebrate

Host a Facebook party or Live, or go on Zoom and invite your subscribers to join you for fun and games. You can even invite other authors to join in. I do this every February to promote my Valentine books, but you can have a party any time. Summer…beach read party. Fall…back to school read party. You get the point.

18. Ask for Readers’ Help

Years ago, Amazon didn’t have a lot of money to market. But they new people talked about books they loved, so they decided to give readers a small commission for recommending books. By asking readers to do what they already did, plus get paid, Amazon ultimately grew to the behemoth is it today. You may not become Amazon, but you can capitalize on readers’ love of books and their eagerness to support authors they love. How?

  • Use your email list to remind readers how important reviews are and ask them to write one if they haven’t yet.
  • When you have a release, ask your readers to help spread the word about it.
  • Invite your readers to join you on social media or wherever you are (BookBub, Goodreads, Wattpad, Ream, Patreon, etc).
  • Tell them about your ARC team or beta reader group and how they sign up

 

As a reminder, you won’t do all 18 of these ideas each week. Instead, use this list to plot your emails, mixing things up so it’s interesting and rewarding for your subscribers.

Do you have other ideas romance authors can send to their readers? Share your ideas in the comments below!

AI as a Tool, Not a Threat: Author Concerns and What to Do About It

AI as a Tool, Not a Threat: Author Concerns and What to Do About It

June 6, 2023 in Editing, Marketing, News, Tools & Resources, Video

Some authors are excited. Others heads are exploding. Why? AI.

Find out common concerns and how you can adapt to an AI world. You can read this post below the video.

I did a post on AI tools for authors, but since then, AI has become such a powder keg of controversy. I’ve met people who’ve been kicked out of social media groups for mentioning AI.

On the one hand, I can understand the concerns anti-AI authors have. I have a few of my own. But on the other hand, AI is here. There’s no stopping it any more than there was stopping the development of the car that impacted buggy makers or streaming entertainment that has impacted DVDs, which impacted VHS.

I want to cover some of the concerns and fears surrounding AI and provide tips, strategies, or coping skills in a changing world.

You may not agree with what I suggest here, which is fine. But what I don’t think can be disputed is that AI is here. It’s not going anywhere. As authors, we need to accept and adapt. I hope this information will help you with that.

Concern One: AI-generated content will replace human authors.

Will their be 100% AI generated books for sale. Yes. There already is. Will AI-generated books replace human authors? I don’t think so. Readers read. They read more than one book. They read more than one author. They don’t care how it was produced as long as it’s a good story. And right now, humans write stories with more emotional depth than AI. AI fiction is a bit like AI generated speech; there’s something stiff and unemotional about it.

Will that change as AI improves, maybe. Probably. But that doesn’t mean it will replace human authors. Think of AI like a ghost writer. Many publishing entrepreneurs hire ghost writers to create their books. Are you afraid of them too? Probably not.

Special note: If you’re a ghost writer, like I am, then you may need to thinking ahead about your future as a ghost writer. I have a great client, but she is an entrepreneur, and as AI improves, it’s possible she’ll decide it’s a better move to use AI.

Concern Two: Increased accessibility to AI writing tools will flood the market with low-quality content.

I want to tell you a story. Once upon a time, the only way to get your book into the world was to either be traditionally published or pay thousands of dollars for vanity publishing and figure out a way to sell your books from your garage. Then one day, the Internet came, and not long after, came print-on-demand and ebooks. Publishing was faster and cheaper than ever. And then, Amazon and Barnes and Noble and other online book retailers opened up their stores to would-be authors to publish their works directly, without a traditional publisher. Now anyone could write, publish, and sell their books. And so many did!

But there were some who didn’t like this. Many traditional authors scoffed at indie authors, saying they couldn’t write well enough to get a traditional publisher so their books had to suck.

I tell this story because some anti-AI authors sound like the traditional authors at the start of self-publishing. They’re getting upset at having to compete with low-quality books flooding the market.

Will there be sucky AI books. Yes. But none of that stops you from writing, publishing, and selling books. What a lot of authors seem to be forgetting is that success as an author comes from the reader. The key factor of making a living writing is YOU finding your readers.

It’s important to realize what has been learned in the last ten to fifteen years as self-publishing has flourished. Is there low content? Yes. But there are also fantastic writers out there. We learned that readers don’t care if a book is traditionally published. All they want is a good story. And if you can provide that, then you can win whether there is AI content or not.

Concern Three: AI might lead to an oversaturation of content, making it harder for authors to gain visibility.

In some ways, the answer to this concern is the same as above regarding low-quality content. Back when self-publishing started to take off, many traditional authors fussed about them saturating the market. And guess what. They did. And we’ve learned there is room for both indie and traditionally published authors because again, readers don’t care about that. They just want a good story.

Is the market flooded? Yes. There are many indie authors making money hand over fist. Many more are making enough to live on. Most make a few bucks. But guess what? That’s true of traditionally published authors as well. From that, we can extrapolate that AI-authors will experience the same.

Will there be more noise with AI-created content? Yes. But self-publishing already produces a lot of noise. The noise has been there for over a decade. The reality is that the difference between authors making a living and those who don’t has little to do with the number of books in the marketplace. It has to do with how well they can find and engage readers. And in fact, AI tools can help you do this!

Concern Four: AI algorithms may prioritize popular trends over originality and diversity.

I’ll be honest, I don’t get this concern considering the number of self-published romance authors who write to market (writing trends). Even traditional publishers are always looking for same, but different.

Again, this worry forgets the most important element in an author’s career…the reader. So what if AI prioritized trends over diversity? All that matters is what your reader wants to read and it’s clear by the success of indie authors that readers like originality and diversity.

Concern Five: Plagiarism and copyright infringement may become more prevalent with AI-generated content.

Someone, somewhere is going to steal and try to sell your book. Often they won’t even plagiarized. They’ll just take your book and sell it themselves. It happens. It’s like playing whack-a-mole to stop it.

This AI concern is a little different from that, but just like authors have to deal with stolen works, you’ll have to concern yourself with plagiarized content in AI. But already there are solutions. If you’re an honest sort, using AI to help you write, you’ll run your content through a plagiarism checker. Many of the AI editors that you probably use, such as Grammerly and Prowriting Aid offer plagiarism checkers. Heck, you can even run your AI content through an AI checker. I’ve used Originality.ai to check content for AI and plagiarism sent to me.

Second, you can protect your work using copyright. You need to officially file for a copyright to enforce it in a court, but it’s fairly affordable.

Concern Six: AI tools may devalue the role of editors and human feedback in the writing process.

It’s interesting that many authors didn’t bat an eye when AI tools like Grammerly or Prowriting Aid started providing robust editing feedback. Many where happy to have an affordable AI editor. Especially now that these tools go beyond checking grammar and spelling. They identify overused words, weak phrases, passive voice sentences, and more. Successful self-published authors I know still hire editors because despite how good these tools are, they’re not perfect. But even they usually run their work through Grammerly or Prowriting Aid first.

Could that change? Yes. Just like I’m anticipating a day in which AI replaces me as a ghost writer, AI could significantly impact editors as well. But I don’t see AI replacing editors all together. Humans are the consumers of these books, and therefore having a human involved in editing is important.

Concern Seven: AI may disrupt traditional publishing models, making it harder for authors to get published.

This is another topic some traditionally published authors fussed about when self-publishing became available. But like AI, a changing publishing model is already here. Readers who’ve grown up using devises (smartphones) are already moving the publishing industry in new directions. Serialized content and subscription models are two examples. But changing reader habits isn’t AI’s doing. Digital serialization has been around for a long time. In fact, serialization has it’s roots in the 19th century. Many authors moved to a subscription model (using platforms like Patreon) years ago. Publishing is changing, with or without AI.

But here’s another interesting factoid…traditional publishers are using AI. They’re using it for first-round editing and language translation. This could be a good thing because editing takes a long, long time. If editors can have a first round AI edit, and then go through with the human touch after, it saves time, time that could be used to work with more authors.

Adapt or Die

Okay, so that’s ominous, but the point is AI is here. No amount of fussing is going to change it. The answer is to figure out what that means for you as a writer. AI is a fantastic tool for authors. It can help with research, editing, and marketing. Yes, it may change the marketplace, so you need to adapt. But I would argue that the need for authors to adapt is already in play with the changing of the younger generations’ reading habits.

Tips for authors to adapt to a new AI world:

1. Embrace AI as a tool:

Chances are you’re already using AI. If you use predictive text in search, you’re using AI. If you have the grammar/spelling checker on in your document, or use Grammerly or Prowriting Aid, you’re using AI. If you dictate your writing, you’re using AI.

Rather than viewing AI as a threat, explore AI-powered writing tools and platforms to enhance your writing process. These tools can assist with tasks like fleshing out plot ideas, improved writing, editing, and marketing. By leveraging AI tools effectively, you can improve efficiency and productivity.

2. Leverage AI for writing and marketing research:

AI can assist you in conducting research more efficiently. You can use AI-powered search engines, text analysis tools, and data mining techniques to gather information, explore new ideas, and gain insights into reader preferences. This can help you create content that resonates with your readers and target-reader market.

3. Utilize AI for marketing and promotion:

AI can help you optimize your marketing and improve book discoverability. Authors can leverage AI tools to analyze market trends, identify target readers, and tailor their promotional efforts accordingly.

Here’s an example: You can ask AI to give you 52 short video ideas that would be interesting and engaging to your target reader. Next, you can ask it to write a 15-second script on each of the 52 ideas. In a matter of minutes, you have 52 TikTok/Shorts/Reels ideas and scrips. Tweak as needed, video, and post.

Here’s another idea: Take a short snippet from your book, use AI text to video to create a short marketing video. Add text to speech to make your characters talk.

4. Adapt to evolving reader preferences:

For longevity in an author career, you should stay attuned to changing reader preferences and consumption patterns. For instance, shorter-form content, interactive storytelling, or multimedia elements can cater to the demand for bite-sized, engaging experiences. By adapting your writing style and format, you can meet the evolving needs of readers.

5. Stop worrying about other people and things you can’t control:

Change can be scary. And I know it’s annoying to think some non-writer is going to use AI to write a romance novel and publish it, thereby competing with you. But you know what, that’s what traditional authors thought about self-published authors. And what did all their fussing get them? Nothing.

In this world there are opportunists, scammers, schemers, and cheaters. Some will use AI, just like they use all technology to make a buck. It is what is is. Don’t waste time on what has been a part of human nature since the beginning of time.

So, focus on the reality of AI’s existence and how you’ll adapt. AI is a tool. That’s it. Like all other tools, it requires your unique perspective and creativity. By embracing AI as a complementary tool and harnessing its capabilities, you can thrive as an author.

And remember, AI doesn’t change what’s required to be a success as an author which is writing a great book and finding your readers.

 

What are your thoughts about AI. What strategies or adaptations are you making now that AI is here?

Building a Street Team to Promote Your Romance Book

Building a Street Team to Promote Your Romance Book

May 16, 2023 in Blog, Marketing

Today’s consumers enjoy engaging with the businesses they use. This is especially true with avid readers who like to follow and interact with their favorite authors.

Avid reader also talk about books. A lot. And in many places. Consider how Booktube and BookTok have changed the lives of authors like Colleen Hoover.

You can tap into the fun and buzz power of reader fans by creating a street team or reader group. It’s an affordable, easy and fun way to engage with your fans and promote your books.

Text version is below the video.

What is a Street Team?

A street team is a group of dedicated fans and supporters who are passionate about your work and willing to actively promote it. The concept came from the music industry, where indie band fans would hit the streets put up promo posters around town to garner interest in a show.

Street team members are your advocates, spreading the word about your book through various channels, such as social media, word-of-mouth recommendations, online reviews, and more. Building a street team can significantly amplify your book’s reach and generate buzz about your romance novel.

How to Set Up A Street Team

Step 1: Create a Name and then Identify and Engage with Potential Team Members

The first step is to come up with a name. Your members are going to belong to a select club. Make them feel special and a part of the group by having a name. Many authors use a play on their name. For example, my team are the SweetHartes.

Next, identify readers who are already enthusiastic about your writing or show a genuine interest in the romance genre. Reach out to your existing readers, social media followers, or engage with romance book clubs and online communities. Don’t forget to let your email list know about the group, and regularly share information about the group to your list and your social media followers. Have information about your street team in your books as well.

Connect with readers personally and explain your idea of forming a street team. Emphasize the benefits of being a part of the team, such as exclusive access to early content, author interactions, and other perks of being on the team.

Step 2: Set Clear Expectations and Goals

To ensure a focused and committed street team, clearly define the expectations and goals from the beginning. Establish the specific tasks and activities you want the team to engage in, such as writing reviews, sharing social media posts, organizing online events, or participating in blog tours. Provide them with the necessary resources (e.g. social graphics) and guidelines to promote your book effectively.

Consider having rules that prohibit negative content about other books and authors. Your team may love you so much that they’ll bully others who they feel disrespect you. Have guidelines that tell members not to engage in that sort of behavior since what they do can reflect on you.

Step 3: Create a Dedicated Communication Channel

Maintaining constant communication with your street team is vital. Establish a dedicated communication channel, such as a private Facebook group, Slack workspace, or email list, where team members can interact with each other and receive updates directly from you. Regularly provide them with important announcements, behind-the-scenes insights, and promotional materials. Encourage active participation and foster a sense of community among team members.

Step 4: Offer Incentives and Rewards

Motivate and reward your street team members for their efforts. Offer incentives, such as exclusive sneak peeks of upcoming projects, signed copies of your book, personalized merchandise, or even acknowledgment in your next publication. I have occasional giveaways in which each social share earns an entry (counted by use of a special hashtag) to a drawing for a prize like an Amazon card.

Recognize their contributions publicly through social media shout-outs or dedicated blog posts. Show genuine appreciation for their support, which will keep them engaged and motivated to continue promoting your work.

Step 5: Engage in Collaborative Projects and Events

To keep the street team active and excited, engage them in collaborative projects and events. Organize virtual book club meetings, author Q&A sessions, or online contests. Encourage team members to share their experiences, reviews, and recommendations on their personal platforms. Collaborate with them on social media campaigns, blog tours, or cross-promotions with other authors. By involving your street team in various activities, you foster a sense of ownership and strengthen their bond with your book.

See below for more ideas and details on engaging with your street team.

Step 6: Evaluate and Adapt

Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of your street team’s efforts and adapt your strategies accordingly. Monitor their engagement levels, review the impact of their promotional activities, and seek feedback from team members. Use their insights to refine your approach, identify areas for improvement, and keep the team dynamic and productive.

Some authors remove members who are inactive. The idea is that the street team gets the perks in return for helping you spread the word, so people who don’t spread the word, don’t get the perks. Of course, the other side of that is you could upset someone who bad mouths you online.

Street Team Activities

Day to day, your communication with your street team could be simply sharing a tidbit from your research or soemthing you wrote that day, asking for help on things like naming a character, a behind the scenes post, or a poll about some aspect of your book or to understand your group’s interests or reading habits (e.g. do they listen to audio books?).

However, your street team is also a place to host fun events that get you all together around a shared interest…your books. Here are some ideas of activities you can do with your team.

1. Organize Virtual Book Club Meetings:
– Schedule regular virtual book club meetings where team members can discuss your book and other related topics.
– Choose a platform such as Zoom or Google Meet for the meetings.
– Prepare discussion questions or themes in advance to guide the conversation.
– Consider inviting guest authors or experts to enhance the discussion.

2. Author Q&A Sessions:
– Host live Q&A sessions where team members can ask you questions directly.
– Set a specific date and time for the session and promote it in advance.
– Use a platform like Facebook Live, Instagram Live, or YouTube Live for the session.
– Encourage team members to submit questions beforehand to ensure a smooth and engaging session.

3. Online Contests:
– Run online contests where team members can participate and win book-related prizes.
– Choose a theme or prompt for the contest that relates to your book.
– Use social media platforms to promote and organize the contest.
– Set clear rules, deadlines, and guidelines for participation.

4. Encourage Sharing Experiences, Reviews, and Recommendations:
– Create a designated space for team members to share their experiences, reviews, and recommendations.
– Use your dedicated communication channel, such as a Facebook group or Slack workspace, to facilitate these discussions.
– Encourage team members to share their honest opinions and experiences on their personal platforms, such as blogs, social media, or online review sites.
– Provide them with pre-written promotional material or graphics that they can easily share.

5. Collaborate on Social Media Campaigns:
– Plan and execute social media campaigns in collaboration with your street team.
– Create specific hashtags, graphics, or challenges for the campaign.
– Assign team members different tasks, such as sharing posts, creating original content, or engaging with comments and questions.
– Track the progress of the campaign using analytics and acknowledge team members’ contributions publicly.

6. Coordinate Blog Tours:
– Organize blog tours where team members can write guest posts or reviews on their own blogs or websites.
– Reach out to relevant book bloggers or websites to participate in the tour.
– Provide team members with the necessary materials, such as excerpts, author interviews, or discussion questions.
– Coordinate the tour schedule and promote it across various platforms.

7. Host Book Launch and/or Author Take Over Events

– Organize a launch or take over party through Facebook or other platform. You can have a theme or just a general party. You can do it through your Facebook street team group (if you have one), another FB group, or as an event on FB.
– Invite other authors to join in
– Promote the event in your group and outside it, and ask the other authors to promote it as well.
– On the day of the event, post fun stuff, have a few giveaways and have fun!

 

Effective execution of these activities requires clear communication, proper planning, and timely coordination with your street team members. Stay engaged with them, provide support and guidance, and express your appreciation for their efforts.

Writing Deep POV to Up the Swoon in Romance Novels

Writing Deep POV to Up the Swoon in Romance Novels

May 9, 2023 in Blog, Video, Writing Romance

Romance novels are all about feels. Yes, other genres have feels, but in romance, we want the reader to experience the rollercoaster ride of love as if they’re actually there. The best way to immerse readers into a story is through deep POV. By writing in deep POV, you can create a more intimate connection between the reader and the character, allowing the reader to experience the character’s emotions in a more visceral way. This makes it easier for readers to empathize with the characters and become invested in their journey.

In this video, I cover what is deep POV and 6 tips to using it to boost the swoon factor of your romances. You can read the text version of the video below.

What is Deep POV?

Deep POV is a writing technique that pulls readers into the story as if they’re inside the point-of-view character’s mind. It essentially quiets the narrator (the author) and everything (thoughts, feelings, sensations, sights) is delivered through the POV character.

The best way to visualize this concept is with the movie The Sound of Music. At the beginning, we see the Alps in all its glory and we can hear Maria signing…the hills are a live, with the sound of music… But initially we don’t see her, or she’s a tiny speck. This is third person limited. Slowly, we move closer to her until finally we’re with her, twirling, singing, and basking in the beauty of the Alps. We can feel the sun on our faces, like Maria. We experience the joy that is emanating from her. That is deep POV.

Technically, deep POV is third-person limited writing, but switching to first person POV isn’t enough to write in deep POV. Plus, you may not want to write in first person, in which case you need to find a way to immerse your reader into the story so they live it vicariously.

Whether you write in third or first person, the tips below will help you create an immersive story that makes your readers swoon.

How to Write in Deep POV

Create 3-D Characters

For a reader to feel as if they’re alongside the character, the character needs to be fully formed, with a history that informs their thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, quirks, etc. If you’re a pantster, this may evolve during the writing, but the more you know your character, the easier it is to write as if you are them, not just telling the reader about them.

3-D characters have:

  • A goal
  • Conflict: Internal & External
  • A temperament, personality, values
  • A past that influences current motivation, beliefs and behavior
  • A flaw that is overcome by the end of the book

Traits, such as appearance, interests, career, quirks, etc are only needed as they relate to who the character is and how it impacts the story. It doesn’t matter that your character loves chocolate, unless that is used to inform the character or plot.

Essential Question about Characters: How do characters’ traits manifest in the story to reveal who they are and accentuate the plot?

Write from a Singular POV (No head hopping)

You can have more than one POV character in your story, just not in a single scene. Writing in deep POV means being in one person’s head, experiencing everything that is going on through them. We (the reader) see what they see. We feel what they feel. We hear what they hear.

Explain Everything from the POV Character’s Point of View

When you’re in the POV character’s head, everything going on in the scene is filtered character’s attitudes, beliefs, past experiences, etc. So if it’s cold out and the POV person hates the cold, that will come through.

For example:

Sally stepped outside into the sleet, gasping as her foot lost purchase and slid across the porch until gravity brought her down. Cursing, she righted herself and inhaled the burning cold air. Whoever said February was like a month full of Mondays was right. 

Another example:

Sally stepped outside into the sleet, gasping as her foot lost purchase and slid across the porch until gravity brought her down. Laughing, she righted herself and inhaled the cold, crisp air. I’m awake now, Mother Nature.

Don’t forget to layer everything with the POV’s character traits, including how they think. When your character has a thought, it should fit with who they are and how the move in the world.

Use Sensory Details

Tami Hoag has a series set in wintery Minnesota. I can read those books during the hot, humid summer in Virginia and feel cold. That’s what you want from your writing. You want your readers to see, hear, feel, taste, and smell everything your POV character does. Added with the layer of attitudes, beliefs, etc, sensory detail can reveal a great deal about the character and the plot.

For example:

She pulled her shirt away from her damp skin as a trickle of sweat dripped down the center of her back. Was there anything worse than sweat along the bra line? 

In the above, we experience how hot it is and her attitude about it. In the previous example, we see the same situation (slipping when stepping outside) but two different attitudes about it.

Eliminate Filter Words (thought, realized, saw, heard, etc)

When you’re in deep POV, we don’t need to be told who is thinking, seeing, realizing, etc because we know who is doing the thinking, seeing, realizing, etc. These words are basically telling (remember, show, don’t tell).

For example:

Joe watched Jane descend the steps. She was stunning, he thought.

VS.

Joe watched Jane descent the steps. She was stunning.

Or….

I’m such a fool, she said to herself.

VS.

I’m such a fool. (Italicized to indicate thought)

Learn how to write setting from deep POV in the post on Writing Settings Readers Don’t Skip

Eliminate Dialogue Tags when Possible

Like filter words, dialogue tags (e.g. he said) are telling, not showing. It can be difficult to eliminate them all together (Kelly Moran once wrote a book without dialogue tags!) especially when there is more than one person in the room, but most books can significantly reduce them.

Instead of dialogue tags, use a thought or action to reveal who is talking.

“I love you,” he said as he wiped the tear from her cheek.

vs.

“I love you.” He wiped the tear from her cheek.

Or

He wiped the tear from her cheek. “I love you.”

Here is another example:

“You’re not the kind of man a woman forgets,” she said, trying to maintain the banter even though her heart was breaking.

Vs.

“You’re not the kind of man a woman forgets.” She wanted to maintain the banter, even though her heart was breaking.

 

If there are only two people in the scene, you can sometimes not use anything for one dialogue, as long as the reader can be clear on who is talking. Here’s an example from Deadly Valentine, between Tess and Jack at Asa’s party. The previous line (not shown) is Jack, and this first line is Tess.

“I didn’t know you knew Asa.”

“I don’t very well. It’s business.”

“You’re doing business with him?”

“Not yet. I probably won’t.” He shifted, moved closer. “Are you here alone?”

“No…Yes…”

One dark brow lifted.

“I came with someone, but he was called away,” Tess clarified.

“Too bad for him.”

“He’ll be back.”

“Too bad for me.”

You’ll notice that I used a dialogue tag above (Tess clarified). An occasional dialogue tag is okay to avoid the scene looking like a circus with people moving, scratching, thinking etc. action overwhelm. Sometimes, a short and sweet dialogue tag is better to keep the action of the dialogue going and not interrupted by a longer action or thought.

Use Active Voice

I have a video on passive and active voice in which I say passive voice isn’t wrong and there are occasions to use it. But when writing in deep POV, stronger, tighter prose is what keeps the reader feeling all the feels with the character. When the POV character is doing the action of the sentence, readers are intimately connected.

Sally was overwhelmed by emotion.

Vs.

Emotion overwhelmed Sally.

 

Here’s another example:

The avalanche caught up to Sally. The icy wall wrapped her up and tossed her around until she didn’t know up from down.

Vs.

Sally couldn’t out-ski the wall of snow barreling down on her. She fell under the weight of it, tossed around until she didn’t know up from down.

Caution

Remember, in deep POV, readers can only know and experience what our POV character knows and experiences. Often, our character can mis-interpret or misunderstand what’s going on based on their limited knowledge or biases. This can be a great tool for unreliable narration and to increase tension.

 

Do you have other tips for writing in Deep POV? Let me know in the comments below!