First Word

  What are common mistakes writers make?   Mistake #1 – Self-doubt : Oh, this one can actually kill careers. Self-doubting writers lack confidence in their work. Projects get scuttled even before they can be finished. The anxiety and fear that their work will fail before it even sees the light of day holds many writers back from finishing what they start.   Mistake #2 – Not studying writing itself . Key mistakes get made out of sheer lack of education. An overall story can be really fantastic but so poorly executed that it’s unreadable. Mistakes like overwriting scenes and focusing on minutia versus pushing a story forward (and it’s all equal when it comes to fiction or nonfiction) can bog down your manuscript. You can hire a copy editor to clean up those minor mistakes, but the writing itself needs to be solid.   Mistake #3 – Writers who lack grammar skills and make their work almost impossible to read . Editing is a profession in and of itse...

  Today I wanted to discuss challenges every writer faces. I’m going to discuss them in no particular order or emphasis.   Lack of confidence – many writers don’t get published or even try to publish due to a lack of confidence in their talents and skills. I’ve published hundreds of articles and books, and yet I still struggle with confidence in my work. Writing requires readers, and readers can be critical. It can be difficult to put your work in the public eye and not feel sensitive about it. One thing that helps me is to be open to improvement. When someone gives me feedback – and as long as it’s done in a productive manner – I’m open-minded about it and don’t take it personally … anymore . I used to feel like an abject reject lol … age and wisdom have taught me the phrase “it’s all good.”   Uncertainty with a story idea and whether or not it will be a commercial success . Over the years, I have learned that when a story is going to be a hit, it will ...

On Tik-Tok, they have this thing called “Storytime”. Something kind of interesting plays in the background video while someone starts with a question: “Am the asshole”… I know it’s crude, but the question leads to some salacious tale about all sorts of family ridiculousness, bad relationships, cheating boyfriends and girlfriends, etc. Then in the comments, people answer whether or not that person was in the wrong. I have to admit, almost every story leaves me with my jaw on the ground. The point is, it’s shocking behavior told in a way that just sucks you right in.   Storytime prompted me to think about anthologies. Storytime is great because over the course of about four to six parts, you hear what is essentially a short story. It’s perfect for quick entertainment. Then after wandering into a bookstore to find a few anthologies right upfront in the most coveted display areas, it piqued my interest. For many years, anthologies weren’t that popular. So, it begged th...

  Today’s topic is about using the point of view and the feelings of the character to apply it in how your descriptions unfold. In writing One Little Lie , I am writing in the first person. I chose the first-person narrative so I could convey the depth of the character’s feelings, but also to allow the prose to unfold from that person’s perspective. You have to remember that if you decide to use the first person narrative, you will be restricted to the knowledge of that person. You’re up in the narrator’s head, and the narrator only observes and hears from the other characters.   I’ve used several types of techniques. I decided to use first person in One Little Lie , because it’s a deeply personal and emotional tale. The story revolves around one character’s story of transformation, from open naivete and hopeful trust to the rude awakening of a narcissistic liar’s duplicity. You go through the experience of her transformation with her and see it unfold throu...

  The audiobook industry is rapidly growing. In our mobile, fast-moving society, many commuters enjoy listening to audiobooks while they drive. The audiobook industry is projected to grow to a $15 billion industry by 2027. Huge opportunities exist for audiobooks, and many authors have asked about how to create them. Since I had to do a little research on the subject, I thought I would share what I know and learned.   Question no. #1 – Are there programs to help me?   Yes, there are many software applications created specifically to record audiobooks. Google: How to create an audiobook , and dozens of applications and providers appear. I don’t know that much about them – yet. So, you need to investigate which one sounds like a good solution. As we always want, ensure your selection is easy-to-use and doesn’t require taking a class (unless you want to take a class).   Question no. #2 – What is Audibles (Amazon’s platform)?   If you don’t have ...

I get asked all of the time how I write my novels and my techniques. I am a unique writer in this way. I don't have a specific technique. I write straight from my imagination and allow the words to pour on the page. It's how my brain works. I can't really give "my" method an explanation. I like to think of it like a pipeline from the Universe to my brain. Maybe it's much like those math people who can look at a problem and solve it in their heads. It works in their minds. If I look at a math formula it looks Greek to me.   What I do tell writers is to develop their own process - the one that works for them. I can though provide some tips on how to develop "a" process. So, I thought I would share some ideas I've read about that other writers use.   Create a cast list and give each character a back-story and history . Describe their lives outside of the book. You don't have to use this information in the story, but it wil...

Do you ever feel wishy-washy when it comes to your writing? I am constantly coming up with ideas and thinking they’re great ones. I’ll start something and just stop. I find I often lose confidence in an idea or become distracted by other projects. In my world, I am trying to hustle and make money. So when a paid opportunity arises, I always take it. Unfortunately, I then find my own writing falling to the wayside. My other issue is losing confidence in my finished work. Oh, now I know my new novel The Abused is a great read. My focus group comments were all positive. My sensitivity comes from concerns about the marketplace. I lose confidence it will sell. As a publisher I’m keenly aware of how competitive the book market has become and saturated with many self-publishers. It takes a lot of effort to move a book into the audience’s hands. Therefore, I am nervous to spend money unless I know I’ll have time to promote it. Are you feeling my points? As an autho...

The professional editor conundrum. I discovered that many people mistake “editing” vs. “rewriting”. Perfect example is a lovely client who wanted me to “edit” his travel book. He mentioned that the previous editors had not done the book justice. When I reviewed his material, I realized “editing” wouldn’t fix the problem, but rather rewriting was in order. I explained to him that the reason he loved my work vs. the other editors’ work was because I wasn’t editing I was rewriting . Why did I need to rewrite him? He’s not a native English speaker. Since English was not his first language, he used many words and phrases either awkwardly or just wrongly. When you hire an editor, it’s his/her job to make grammar corrections, tighten sentences, and make overall content comments or rearrange organization. Editors are not writers. So, if you want your document to perhaps flow better or present a professional approach to its content, do not hire an editor. You need a writ...

Do you feel pressed for time? I do. I have multiple projects going on. I once read in the book The Secret that it’s all a matter of perspective. You always have enough time . We make time for things we prioritize. When it comes to keeping everything flowing and getting it all done I keep daily, weekly and monthly goals. I started this habit in college because I was taking up to 18 units and I needed to keep track of homework. Turned out this technique became invaluable to helping me to become an effective project manager. Another technique I apply is to keep in mind at all times I love what I do. I try to avoid feeling overwhelmed by just sitting down and getting things done one at a time. Even though I have work that is due all of the time I make it a top priority to make time enough to work on my own book The Abused . When it comes to ensuring that my precious time gets applied to my own work too I just do it . Here are some tips to help you effectively manag...

On-the-Nose Dialogue - On-the-nose dialogue that tells the reader exactly what you want him or her to read. No mystery or intrigue, but just saying it all outright in "on-the-nose" statements are hallmarks of weak writing. Story Exposition in the Dialogue - Telling your story through dialogue in long monologues. Please tell the story in the narrative unless it's a narrator. Repetitive use of characters' names - How often do you actually say someone's name? Not often, so please avoid the same in your writing. One voice, many characters - All of your characters sound like a middle-aged white guy. Make sure you have unique voices for each character. Tip: use a real person you know or actor or actress and base your character on his or her voice. Study how the person talks, expressions, tone and inflection. On-the-head storytelling - Not to be confused with "on-the-nose", because this is storytelling where you don't respect yo...

1. Using the character's name too often in the dialog . Think about it. When you're talking to someone, how often do you actually say his or her name. You don't need to use their names. People don't talk like that and repeat someone's name often in conversation. It bogs down your writing and pacing. 2. He said, she said -- no, no . If you have only two characters in a scene once you establish who has spoken first, no need to use "said" anymore unless you have specific purpose to express more than the statement of someone saying something. For example, she said with an angry look of outrage. 3. Repeating what you just described . Too often writers will show the character doing something and repeat in the dialog what the reader just read. Once you've established something about a scene, no need to rehash it in the dialog or even reference it again. It bogs down the pacing and bores the reader with the redundancy. For example, a character walks in t...

12             Kendra sat alone in the rose garden. She was only half studying a fire-and-ice rose when Craig walked up and sat down next to her. She barely glanced at him.             “My daughter would have liked pink … hot pink.”             “I see … you know Kendra … I, I want to share something with you.”             Kendra momentarily glanced up.             “My wife and I have lost four babies.”             “I’m sorry … that must feel terrible.”             “No worse I am sure than you feel right now.”           ...

I am an artist and photographer -- and a writer.  I am a mother and no one's wife -- not anymore. I am bold, fierce and strong -- even when I feel weak. I am sensitive, kind and generous -- although I am not to myself. I pave my own way -- and make my own path. I walk forward and rarely backward -- my head always high. I am feminine and sexy -- and once in a while I strut. I am a nature-lover and nurturer -- and need some in return. And tomorrow I turn 50 -- and that's pretty great! ~ Michelle Lynn Gamble

At 3L Publishing (www.3LPublishing.com), we offer different levels of book coaching services. What is a book coach? A book coach offers one-on-one guidance, input, ideas to make your manuscript work better, accountability to help you finish, and general editorial feedback. What are the benefits of a book coach? One-on-one attention Professional guidance and input into everything about your manuscript, including: General editing Comments every step of the way through the manuscript Examples of how to fix structural writing Specific writing samples of what that writing should look like A private lesson and monthly sit down with your coach to review your current work and discuss it. Overall feedback on your work  Here is a recent blog being written by one of our 3L clients who is using Michelle Gamble to take her new book Grains of Truth from idea to final novel. Elizabeth discusses her experience working with Michelle's help to slowly write her first novel. Please...

1. Create the Table of Contents -- the table of contents is your book's road map (this mostly applies to nonfiction). Creating your table of contents will give you an idea of how to start. In all nonfiction books the structure should make sense in a kind of "unfolding" way. Each chapter should relate somehow to the chapter before it. For example, your introduction to your topic obviously should be in the front of the book. It's a standard approach. Now I am always for break the rules, but know the rules before you break them. 2. Chapter by Chapter -- You can work a chapter at a time finish and go onto the next one. Don't worry about editing until you have a first draft. 3. Outline the Structure of Each Chapter -- You will want the same road-map approach for each chapter, too. Once you have an acceptable outline back fill the content.

1. Thinking that their editor is the same as a final proof and copy edit. Reality with books which are often very long is that an editor can't necessarily catch everything. Notice on most mastheads of magazines that you have several layers of editing -- the editor-in-chief, editor, managing editor and copy editor. The reason for the layers is that each role is slightly different. Even if you have a reasonably talented editor to clean up and help your copy shine, a final proof will still be a necessity. I try to tell writers this and often hear they don't need that final proof, which is completely wrong. When I end up showing them via a quick proof of a few pages how that belief is incorrect, it often opens their eyes to the true difficulty of getting a completely clean draft. 2. Not understanding that a Word document and a book template are two different sizes and produce a different page counts . I ask writers the size of the book, and they quote from the Word document. Sta...

I have encountered clients who have no experience in marketing and publishing, hire 3L Publishing ( www.3LPublishing.com ) to publish their books, and then argue with the team about the process. If you're going to hire experts who have done something that you have no experience doing, the idea is to listen to the experts. Now the customer is always right, true. Problem is when the customer thinks he or she is right -- and their idea of right is simply wrong. When you're talking about writing and editing, and the customer's ultimate goal is professionalism yet they're not following expert advice and experience then the end result is not always professional. When it comes to writing some writers don't want their work touched no matter what the edit. I was joking with a friend of mine that some writers argue about grammar. My go-to solution is to not only explain why it's wrong, but also back up the answer with my favorite website Grammar Girl (yes, that's...

Smudges on my glasses ... don't you just hate it when you smudge your glasses and they don't seem to come clean. Smudges on my contact lenses are annoying too. Phone calls before 8 a.m. ... that one is just obvious. Unless you're from the East Coast (I'm on the West Coast) you have no excuse. Phone calls after 9 p.m . ... unless your lover or best friend that is simply too late at night for me. Running out of coffee in the morning ... that one is just scream-worthy. I must have my coffee. And it always seems like the moment I realize I am out of it, it's while wearing a purple bathrobe and socks. So no way a trip to the local Starbuck's is on the agenda. Running out of Half-n-Half ... that one is synonymous to running out of coffee. Either problem holds the same "annoyance value".  People who keep calling and not leaving a voice message ... how hard is it to just leave a message? Quit calling and not leaving me a message; it's pointl...

I've coached and worked with writers for years. All facets of talent have come across my desk. So today what I want to share are the top three things I see writers do to sabotage their own success. Giving up -- yes, giving up is no. #1. At the first sign of low sales or reviews not kicking off enough sales (in the author's mind), some author will give up. They won't feel the project is either successful or successful enough . And to discuss the "enough" word. What is your idea of success anyway? Becoming a no. 1 best-seller? Or is it possible that your book touched and changed one life. Your book made someone's vacation perfect. Your prose made someone happy. We have this view of success in society based on monetary rewards, and don't get me wrong money is important. I just hate to see an author feel like a failure because they only sold 500 copies, which is actually a lot. Speaking of quantity of copies ... here is the next thing authors do get in th...

Best USA Book Awards FINALIST: BEST COVER DESIGN FINALIST: BEST MULTICULTURAL FICTION Purchase an eBook or print copy at Amazon ( click here ) Another 3L Publishing (www.3LPublishing.com) book is an award-winner. Joining the ranks of our other award-winning books, Passenger from Greece is yet another example of why authors should work with 3L Publishing. We focus on quality not quantity. For more information, contact 916-300-8012, send email to info@3LPublishing.com or log onto the website at 3LPublishing.com.