tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post5224791293775202029..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: MomentumJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56145437311500610982007-06-26T22:10:00.000-05:002007-06-26T22:10:00.000-05:00i'm drafting my first book online in blog form, pe...i'm drafting my first book online in blog form, perhaps a good idea, perhaps a bad one, thing is, i have this story to tell, and i have to tell it, i don't have any choice about that, its early days though i suppose...<BR/>http://kaetiekalfou.eponym.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-30275152965987674322007-03-23T18:22:00.000-05:002007-03-23T18:22:00.000-05:00Not only have you been writing, but you've been sm...Not only have you been writing, but you've been smelling the roses, er, Guinness®, and draging others with you...thanks for St Paddy's Day breakfast!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15835422135514716691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-44373933495549175352007-03-23T13:18:00.000-05:002007-03-23T13:18:00.000-05:00What are you doing to build momentum?Not a damn th...<I>What are you doing to build momentum?</I><BR/><BR/>Not a damn thing.<BR/><BR/>My God, I suck...<BR/><BR/>Joe, I'm happy to hear you can take a break. You definitely deserve one.s.w. vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102544611773720262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56248255751513748782007-03-23T09:32:00.000-05:002007-03-23T09:32:00.000-05:00Regarding Process2000 words per day is a very reas...<B>Regarding Process</B><BR/><BR/>2000 words per day is a very reasonable (and steady) rate. I can usually put about 500-700 words on the page in about 50 minutes.<BR/><BR/>Generally, my process is to write for about 50 minutes, take a break for 20-30 minutes, then write for another 50 minutes.<BR/><BR/>Doing four of these rotations will yield about 2000 words and will take about five hours.<BR/><BR/>If you spend an hour or two later in the day re-reading what you've written carefully, it's a very steady pace at which to work.<BR/><BR/>Usually, I'll start my writing day by re-reading what I wrote the previous day (and editing it), which means that there are two primary edits going on at the time of writing.<BR/><BR/>Usually, once I'm about halfway through a novel, I'll re-read the novel from the start, which constitutes another editing round.<BR/><BR/>Once the first draft is completed, I'll let it sit for a month or two, and then do a reading of the novel as a whole (which constitutes a fourth edit).<BR/><BR/>Then, usually I'll let it sit for another month or two, before handing it over to a critique group. 5th edit.<BR/><BR/>Then, usually I'll let it sit around for another few months while beginning to draft my query. I'll most likely do another quick read-through before querying agents. 6th edit.<BR/><BR/>If I sign with an agent, they may offer some feedback and work for a month or so revising things to his/her liking. Seventh edit.<BR/><BR/>Then, they'll make their pitch.<BR/><BR/>As yet, I haven't gone to the next phase (i.e., working with an editor). But that would constitute an 8th edit.<BR/><BR/>I imagine this process is pretty similar to what most published authors go through, give or take a few steps.<BR/><BR/>Stacey<BR/><A HREF="http://www.staceycochran.com" REL="nofollow">www.staceycochran.com</A>Stacey Cochranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14128613653591282474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-82162518029354514182007-03-20T21:06:00.000-05:002007-03-20T21:06:00.000-05:00Very inspiring, Joe. Thank you.Very inspiring, Joe. Thank you.Patry Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10961915797919017179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56720453925859399872007-03-20T16:45:00.000-05:002007-03-20T16:45:00.000-05:00Joe, I've got some questions about your output. Wa...Joe, I've got some questions about your output. Wait, that sounded rather nasty. What I mean is, your 150,000 word count after 75 days of writing. That's 2000 words per day, if my shabby math skills are serving me correctly.<BR/><BR/>Is that 75 straight days in which you sat down at the computer and wouldn't get up before reaching 2000?<BR/><BR/>Also, how many of those 150,000 words are usable at the end of the process? Do you write fast and loose and then edit carefully later, or are you banging out 2000 fabulous words per day that need little editing when you're finished?<BR/><BR/>I'm just wondering about process. How fast do other people here write?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-68097253136649907282007-03-18T08:21:00.000-05:002007-03-18T08:21:00.000-05:00I've often believed that I'm not reaching for succ...<I>I've often believed that I'm not reaching for success, rather I'm running from failure.</I><BR/><BR/>Joe, you've summed up the fears of today's writers perfectly. Fear is a great motivator. But so is the love of writing, and I'm happy you were able to immerse yourself in the latter to forget the former for awhile. <BR/><BR/>Each year I write two novels (one each for two different series), a proposal for a new series, and a short story or two. Plus all the promotion stuff. I'll keep this up until I become what I consider fully contracted (2 books/year for at least 5 years), or until they have me committed.Jerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-77194034701078570792007-03-17T16:56:00.000-05:002007-03-17T16:56:00.000-05:00That's an amazing output, Joe! Congrats!That's an amazing output, Joe! Congrats!Martha O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17915815056340085345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-72460183263558065182007-03-17T08:28:00.000-05:002007-03-17T08:28:00.000-05:00Vroom, vroom baby!And once you reach that magical ...Vroom, vroom baby!<BR/>And once you reach that magical cruising speed, if you are fortunate, a publisher pitches in with a tankful of nitrous oxide(or is that my dentist?)that you could never concoct in your home lab, and your new top speed takes you from dirt track to NASCAR.<BR/>Assuming you can maintain control of the vehicle on those hairpin turns.<BR/>Great post JA; and even greater metaphor!<BR/>Ross in MaineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-64942714405444892102007-03-15T21:50:00.000-05:002007-03-15T21:50:00.000-05:00That amount of writing is fantastic!That amount of writing is fantastic!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-45975988753382578652007-03-15T08:19:00.000-05:002007-03-15T08:19:00.000-05:00eI understand the panic of not being able to keep ...eI understand the panic of not being able to keep up. Since my father-in-law passed away, I have had to spend a good deal of time caring for my mother-in-law. I don't mind because I love her, but I do worry about cutting down on my Internet time so dramatically. I’ve barely managed one blog post a week lately, and haven’t kept my Squidoo lenses updated very well (except for yours - LOL) But fortunately, the readers are still stopping by, and none of the lenses have taken a serious tumble in lensrank. I haven’t had the opportunity to write anything though, and that is really starting to eat away at me. But...we do what we have to do.<BR/><BR/>I’m delighted that you are maintaining momentum, and thrilled for your writing progress! Best wishes to you for continued success!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-47414018250022828492007-03-15T02:39:00.000-05:002007-03-15T02:39:00.000-05:00Joe, I only blog one day a week (sometimes two, bu...Joe, I only blog one day a week (sometimes two, but only if I have major news) and I get the same number of hits to my blog. They all just come in on Monday or Tuesday since I blog on Mondays. My website hits have been gradually increasing, then get more hits when I have a book release, then go back down but never as low as before.<BR/><BR/>I respond to email promptly (within 48 hours if possible) and stay in tough with all my fabulous writers loops. <BR/><BR/>But the writing always comes first. It has to. Self promotion means nothing if you have nothing to promote.<BR/><BR/>So congrats on the words! Keep them coming :)Allison Brennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02872860080644987843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-77934112664956940022007-03-14T19:09:00.000-05:002007-03-14T19:09:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.JT Ellisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08034115593738265631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-87930556593341849222007-03-14T19:06:00.000-05:002007-03-14T19:06:00.000-05:00Write, write, write. If I'm not writing, my moment...Write, write, write. If I'm not writing, my momentum is at a standstill anyway. <BR/><BR/>Glad to hear you're back to it too!JT Ellisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08034115593738265631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-85593657179380505832007-03-14T11:31:00.000-05:002007-03-14T11:31:00.000-05:00What are you doing to build momentum?For years, I ...<B>What are you doing to build momentum?</B><BR/><BR/>For years, I kept sending out work trying to get published, and no one would publish me. This was the #1 hindrance to momentum.<BR/><BR/>You could literally wait your entire lifetime, sending out work, and never get published.<BR/><BR/>Once I decided to self-publish, I finally had a book in hand that I could generate events around.<BR/><BR/>It took about a year or two to get comfortable knowing what to expect from stores and libraries regarding my self-published books.<BR/><BR/>Now, what I'm doing is setting up city-by-city speaking events that meet once every month. I'm finding local organizers in the cities, a PR team in each city, and writers to grow these writers groups <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_robbins" REL="nofollow">Tony Robbins style</A>.<BR/><BR/>Because it's a self-published book, I can carry copies of it with me to sell at these events, and I'm not restricted to selling at a bookstore. I've set up events at coffee shops, library conference rooms, restaurants, and hotels.<BR/><BR/>My goal is to have about 10 cities that I'm touring every month within the next 6 months.<BR/><BR/>The cool thing about this strategy is that I don't have to wait for anyone's approval: a publisher, a bookstore, a publicist, newspaper reviewers.<BR/><BR/>All I need is a venue, enough lead time to get the word out to writers in the area, and then I go speak and enable a discussion among those writers.<BR/><BR/>And I try to build an organizational structure in each city (with an assistant organizer, a critique group organizer, and a PR team) that can become self-sustaining.<BR/><BR/>All of this builds a readership and name recognition. And there's no way to build customer loyalty better than to actually meet other writers who come to your event to educate and further their own writing careers.<BR/>But it's wild; you're absolutely right. It feels like once you've got that momentum that it's very hard to take it away. <BR/><BR/>Stacey<BR/><A HREF="http://www.staceycochran.com" REL="nofollow">www.staceycochran.com</A>Stacey Cochranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14128613653591282474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-75063106514953442692007-03-14T11:01:00.000-05:002007-03-14T11:01:00.000-05:00You don't just have momentum, baby, you have LOVE....You don't just have momentum, baby, you have LOVE.<BR/><BR/>Do the writing. We miss you but will always be waiting with bated breath.<BR/><BR/>XAlexandra Sokoloffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02881770599534651858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-40617430528407915212007-03-13T22:45:00.000-05:002007-03-13T22:45:00.000-05:00I think you have some stout momentum going, Joe. N...I think you have some stout momentum going, Joe. Now's a good time to take time to...write your ass off and get that breakout book on the page. You're doing exactly the right thing, IMO.Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-80431887924024070382007-03-13T20:19:00.000-05:002007-03-13T20:19:00.000-05:00This is such an encouraging post. Thanks, I neede...This is such an encouraging post. Thanks, I needed that.Vivian Mahoneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11285339307161020541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-41733141912087821122007-03-13T18:38:00.000-05:002007-03-13T18:38:00.000-05:00Thanks, Joe. It'd be good to see you round there. ...Thanks, Joe. It'd be good to see you round there. The place kinda reminds me of the Mystery Circus.Daniel Hatadihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-46848283176610655422007-03-13T17:18:00.000-05:002007-03-13T17:18:00.000-05:00Momentum is important because publishers are unimp...Momentum is important because publishers are unimpressed with an author if he/she hasn't written the big book book within 5 or 6 titles. The days of being an infinite midlist author are disappearing if not gone. The secret is to break out fast and break out high. Noone can count on a ten year midlist span to build up a fan base. So when you get your chance, give it everything you got while people are still interested enough to watch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-49661835102239518062007-03-13T15:08:00.000-05:002007-03-13T15:08:00.000-05:00Tosh--Funny how we're called 'writers' but it seem...Tosh--Funny how we're called 'writers' but it seems we do so little of that.<BR/><BR/>Daniel--Much successs with Crimespace. I'll drop in later.<BR/><BR/>PJ--Very true. it seems that longevity and success are often intertwined.<BR/><BR/>Robert--I wish I'd thought about promotion before my first books old. I hadn't. it would have given me a big head start.<BR/><BR/>Linda--I think that editing can be very creative. It takes a lot of creativity to reinsert all of the lines your editor insisted must be cut. :)<BR/><BR/>Mark--It's the same with my wife's business. When you reach a certai point, you're working rather than searching for work.<BR/><BR/>Wayne--I think that there isn't any set point when you're suddenly successful. The hope is that the books continue to sell without the author having to do anything other than write them. I haven't gotten there yet, but I hope to if I survive long enough.<BR/><BR/>Joe--I do the same thing. But there's also one more thing writers do; piss and moan about the business with their friends. If I'm not writing or promoting, chances are I'm online, or on the phone, or in a bar, complaining about publishing. Or, if not complaining, offering positive solutions to how things can be made better. :)JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-32825892942242455962007-03-13T15:01:00.000-05:002007-03-13T15:01:00.000-05:00When I clicked through to your post from my reader...When I clicked through to your post from my reader, I glanced at your "About" description. <BR/><BR/>Wow, you've done a TON in the last four years!<BR/><BR/>I'm in the "sacrificing vacations" portion of my career. Man, I feel horribly guilty about that.Spy Scribblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14299551957327543491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-26251254946989420072007-03-13T14:59:00.000-05:002007-03-13T14:59:00.000-05:00I thought I saw Joe Moore's picture at the post of...I thought I saw Joe Moore's picture at the post office...<BR/><BR/>Or was it on FOX?Mark Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09410424046477699059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-64396175955436641992007-03-13T14:18:00.000-05:002007-03-13T14:18:00.000-05:00"My attitude has been that of a shark--keep swimmi..."My attitude has been that of a shark--keep swimming, or I'll drown."<BR/><BR/>What a great analogy. There's nothing wrong with being a shark. Great Whites have been know to live for a long time. <BR/><BR/>As far as increasing momentum, I strive for face time. Blog posts, forums, cons, articles, panels, newsletters, websites, workshops, wanted posters--anywhere that someone sees my name (brand) and stores it away for future reference.<BR/><BR/>But just like you said, at the end of the day, we're all writers. Writers write. And when I'm not writing, I'm thinking about writing. The rest of the day I spend looking for opportunities to chalk up some face time.Joe Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00028401465567502250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-25287884786397274692007-03-13T12:55:00.000-05:002007-03-13T12:55:00.000-05:00I think so, Joe. I'm still working on this with th...I think so, Joe. I'm still working on this with the novels, but with my nonfiction writing, I put a tremendous amount of time and energy into building up clientele the first year or two and now it seems more or less self-sustaining. I tend to it, certainly, and I try to make existing clients happy, and I still send out queries for new clients from time to time, but by and large I have more work than I can handle and people come to me for work.<BR/><BR/>Hopefully I'll see something similar with the fiction as time goes by. Shoulder to the boulder and all that...Mark Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09410424046477699059noreply@blogger.com