First Word

When writing novels, I get asked about how many characters should populate your story? I don't have a huge cast of characters in California Girl Chronicles . I didn't create a huge cast of characters of purpose. The best way to explain why it's important to limit what I call the characters on the canvas is from the reader's point-of-view. Have you ever read a book where you have to continually flip back and forth to remember a character's name and his or her role in the story? Doesn't that just frustrate you? It also makes it difficult to track what is going on when you confuse your characters and sub-plots, because if you have confused the characters you probably aren't tracking the sub-plots either. I had a recent conversation with an author where we explored the problems associated with a plethora of different people populating his pages. He had reasons to justify all of his "peeps" but I pointed out that once you lose the reader what really hap...

The difference between being a writer and not being a writer is ... writing. One of the questions that always makes me laugh, "Are you really a writer?" or "What have you written?" I'll address each one in order. Am I really a writer? As opposed to what? An elephant? An accountant? (Ew ... I could never in 10 trillion years be an accountant.) What qualifies me as a writer? I wrote a paper in 6th grade ... all right I'll quit being sarcastic. Hapless and well-meaning folk ask me that question. It's okay, I forgive you. Next time you tell me you're a manager, I'll ask you, "Do you really manage something?" Now I'm messing with you. Yes, I am really a writer, and lions and tigers and bears oh my! I am a publisher too. I once had a gal say to me, "You know a real publishing company." I started looking around and wondering if I was invisible. Then I looked at all of my "fake" books ... hmm ... the Invisible Publis...

I don't know why being a writer invites so much curiosity along with some strange reactions from people. Over the years, I've told strangers about my profession and reactions typically fall across two categories: we'll call the first the "Really" reaction and the second the "Cool" reaction. Here are the responses under each one. REALLY "Do you really write?" What does that mean? I lied about it. I only write under my bed and it's just scribbling anyway and that doesn't count? "For real?" No, not 'real' just fake. I write to entertain the cat -- and that's not really 'real' is it? The cat bats my wadded up sheets around the kitchen so I guess that's not publishable . "You're actually published?" No, I call myself a writer just to say it. In fact, let's say it now ... w-r-i-t-e-r. See flows right off the tongue. Never published, though. I just like the word writer . And it make...

"Oh such hyperbole Michelle!" you gasp at my brazen hustling for business. Well, I am a hustler (in a good way) there is no doubt and when the going gets tight the tough loosen up ... their tongue! I am so grinning right now. Actually, I am super excited. We are running our blazing hot, sizzle, sizzle! summer sale of 20% OFF all publishing and editorial services. Need your book coached? Want to clean up a manuscript and make sure it's has its Ts crossed and i dotted? Interested in publishing the great American novel? Or maybe you just need a white paper or collateral piece cleaned up. Pick a service -- it's all 20% OFF until June 30, 2011. Oh you gasp! Wow! That's awesome! I need a service Michelle! Of course you do ... you literate, writing champ you. Send an email to info@3LPublishing.com. We will take care of you. Now off to a meeting with (guess) an author! Now go on take on the day!! Writing Tip: Always use a proof reader when creating a professional docume...