23. The challenges of Bipolar as a Writer #WritersLife

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
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Well, I’ll be darned. How long has it been – since the end of the A to Z Challenge, correct? That’s all of May and all of June that I didn’t write a single blog. Or a single word of my manuscript.

22. Sweet Mother’s Day Story

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
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Well, Mother’s Day 2016 represents two weeks since I had received very good, very accurate, but very depressing writing feedback. I had been rocked to my core, and spent that Saturday morning crying in bed. I had been just about to throw in the towel.

Well, to be fair, I read on blogs from all over – and in books – that this is a natural, common, and possibly necessary step for all newbie authors. I still was depressed, though.

However, not only did my hubby come through, but my kids did as well, in a big way.

THANK YOU A to Z Blog Challenge #atozchallenge

Part of “Beat your Inner Bully and Find your Confidence” (A-Z #695)
A-Z TOC | ZtoH TOC
I would like to take a moment to say a huge “THANK YOU” to the coordinators and teams of the 2016 A to Z Blog Challenge, and to all of you who have visited this blog.

21. More from author Martin Wilsey

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
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In the last “writing” series blog post, I introduced and thanked Martin Wilsey.

He sent me some of his recent author interviews, and I’m going to shamelessly pick just a few of the quotes here :-).

 

20. Author Martin Wilsey

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
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Martin Wilsey

I can’t tell you how lucky I am – I have been given some really great advice from a really cool author: Martin Wilsey.

My husband happens be good friends with “a guy” who is good friends with Martin. When my hubby’s friend heard about my endeavors to become a writer, he thought Martin might be able to provide a word or two of wisdom, and hooked me up.

Martin, being the professional and all-around nice guy he is, already gave me some amazing tips and a much needed boot in the rear.

Invitation to show your published book pic here

Hey, please don’t feel obligated, but I thought I’d set up a page on my site where anyone who reaches me here from any means can have me post up one of their published works. I’ll put your name, a link, and a pic of your book. My only request is no erotica or really massive gratuitous profanity. I probably wouldn’t be comfortable with something as intense as Game of Thrones either, if you get my drift.

Sue H’s Community Published Works Page

Admittedly, I’m new to writing and new to blogging. I don’t have thousands of followers. However I thought it might be a nice shout-out to anyone kind enough to take the time to visit.

So, if you’d like to join us, send me an email using the gmail in the picture, or Direct Message me on Twitter via @SJHFantasy.

No obligations required – I’m not asking you to like, follow, comment, re-tweet, or anything. Just a nice friendly place for us to share our stories. I hope one day that my published work will join the list.

Cheers
Sue H

19. Woa, Nelly! Slow it Down!

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
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I just had a revelation: I can be good – damn good – if I would just slow down and take the time to be the best I can be.

18. Writing sample and story world teaser

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
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I decided to publish a sample of my writing, for ye ole faithful who have been kind enough to follow this blog. The writing sample contains super-secret backstory that would not otherwise be seen – literally in the entire “first” series. (“first?” Sounds crazy, I know.)

17. Social Marketing: Sell yourself like a Character

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
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What do the educational books tell writers about hooking readers? It’s all about creating an emotional experience with the characters. Give your reader reason to intensely like your character (or intensely dislike them) and you will keep them turning pages.

A blog (for many of us) is about marketing and networking, to some extent. This time, you’re the main character: it’s you as the blog owner that your readers want to intensely like (or hate)!

16. Author Interview: Kirsty L Jennings

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
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In my adventures into writing – and specifically, learning to blog – I have “met” some wonderful people, some authors, some not. One of the authors I have had the privilege to talk to is Kirsty L Jennings, who is the author of Soulblade: Forgotten Souls; The Dragon’s Slumber: Whispering Souls; and the upcoming novel Dark Magic: Living Souls.

Kirsty was kind enough to agree to an interview that I can share with you, so we can get an idea of her work, writing style, and creation process.

You can reach Kirsty at her website and via her links below: http://www.fantasyscifiwriter.blogspot.co.uk 

15. Methods for Plotting your Novel

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
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Although I’m still in my injury recovery phase, I wanted to take a moment to write in my “Novelist” blog series one time this week since it’s been a while.

I also wanted to remind you that the writing and blogging practice – Blogging from A to Z Challenge – begins tomorrow. I will be separating my posts into the Writing/Novelist blog series and the A to Z Challenge series, for which I have picked “self-confidence” and “beating your inner bully” as the topic. While it isn’t directly related to writing, it was inspired by it; I realized I was bullying myself into thinking I couldn’t succeed as a new writer, and the tone of my early blog posts even reflect this.

So today’s writing topic is to discuss a few different methods to come up with your Plot.

11. Charged Up – A Friday Fictioneers writing exercise

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I missed last Friday. This feels like a pitiful attempt to me, but I have to practice.

10. Steps for Writing your First Novel

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I have come up with some steps that I think I should have followed in the beginning as a brand new, first-time writer. Hind-sight is 20/20?

9. House Cleaning

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
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I have done some major overhaul in the past few days:

8. Mario Maker Strikes Again – A Friday Fictioneers writing exercise

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It’s always great to practice writing, and as a newbie, I really need practice. Here’s a little practice writing.

5. What are my choices for editing my novel?

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
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I’m still trying to get caught up on everything I’ve learned in the last few weeks. Today I’d like to talk about a topic I’m struggling with: editing.

Why Edit

Before we start, let’s talk about the need for editing in the first place. Although this seems like it should be self-evident, for new authors like me it’s often not. I knew I’d have to take several passes at my story and touch it up, but I was completely unaware how important editing is. I didn’t know there is a method and structure to it, or that it is way more intense than I envisioned. I figured my manuscript would come out relatively good on the first try.

Writing Blogs and Sites – Community, Education and Services

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
BLOG SERIES INDEX

IMPORTANT: If you take any exception to my linking your blog/site, please comment and/or send an email.

info [a][t] susanjhernandez [d][o][t] com

Blogs that are Educational; Services Offered; or Both   (Common Myths; About Services)

• Jane Friedman. Extremely helpful blogs as well as services.
• AndiLit.
• http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com
• Jenny Nash – How to Edit a Complete Manuscript.
• Editorial Freelancers Association: Editorial Rates.
• Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America
  • Writer Beware     <– ***** DING DING DING
  • Information Center
• Writer’s Digest: How to format a Manuscript

Writing Forums

• Absolute Write Water Cooler. Moral support and advice from other writers at many experience levels.

For Later

• Query Shark – view critiques of writers’ literary agent query letters
• Brent Weeks – Writing Fantasy tools/techniques
• NY Book Editors. Not sure, but they seem to be top-of-the-line editors.

4. Kung Fu Panda 3

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
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Huh? Isn’t this a blog series about learning to write? I’ll get there, one minute please…

Yesterday, my husband surprised me by inviting me to the movies. I never get out, by my own choice, but I’ve been better at it lately. He offered to take me to see Gods of Egypt which I wanted to see as I typically enjoy those types of movies. My husband then noted that he is going to take the two boys to see Kung Fu Panda 3 during the week. I sheepishly observed that although I wanted to see Gods of Egypt, I’d rather us all go see Kung Fu Panda 3.

2. Should I Publish my Novel?

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
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After reading from some of my most inspiring authors, I would always think, “wow, I wish I could do that.” Maybe all authors start out that way – did you? With me, good stories came in two parts: having a good plot/characters, and writing it well. That may seem painfully obvious, but what may be more subtle is “how” to write it well. What was it that made the story a story, rather than a laundry list of interesting events? Why was I on the edge of my seat – how did he/she accomplish that? Why did I have dreams of being Lady Mara, why could I envision the rage flowing through me from holding the Sword of Truth?

I came to realize that it wasn’t just the story that made it so engrossing, but it was the skillful way the author told me that story. That’s when I started really paying attention to the details, and re-read the same books. Did the author just mention the mirror in the description of the bedroom? Isn’t it that same mirror that the monster will emerge from several chapters later? But it seemed such a casual mention and not at all forced…how’d he do that?

Therefore when my own story began to take substance, I asked myself – can I do for others what my favorite authors did for me? Can I engage them in my own inspiring story?

3. Writing – Fun or Work?

Part of the series “From Zero to Hero – Journey of a Novelist”
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I am one of the lucky individuals who can truly say I love what I do for work. To be clear, my day job is a Software Engineer (i.e. programmer). I have been programming since 2000 and I still enjoy it immensely. As any other programmer will know, it is not only technical but also highly creative.

One important lesson I’ve learned along the way is that there are times when I have to put aside the fun stuff, at least exclusively, and get into areas I’m not as comfortable with. Proposal writing. Technical documentation. Training classes. Timesheets. Project plans. Milestone development. Personnel paperwork. Tedious and/or legal tasks that can make some people feel that their entire workstation is buried in red tape. I’ve learned to be good at these things, but don’t enjoy them as much as making a SharePoint site dance.