February 16, 2009

Am I the only woman who wants non-traditional gifts, or is it all writers?

For Christmas, my friends wanted clothes, jewelry, trips, and home furnishings. I dearly wanted a cordless mouse for my laptop. My husband (reluctantly) bought and wrapped it. I love it! It has brought me countless hours of help. It has a zoom feature, instantly enlarging the words on the screen (so much appreciated by my tired eyes as the day wears on.) And I can use it with my right or left hand, something which has decreased the pain in my right arm and shoulder already. I think of him every time I use it because it makes my daily life easier.

Valentine’s Day was Saturday. Did I want chocolate or roses or lacey red things? No! I asked for a stand on rollers for my laptop. I’ve been making do with a wobbly TV tray which, hunched over, gives me a back ache and knots in my neck. (I know that sounds idiotic, but I’m of the “make do, wear it out, use it up” generation that doesn’t buy new stuff without a real good reason.) So my wonderful hubby got me the adjustable, tiltable computer stand with attached side table. He put it together Saturday. I love it! I’m using it right now–NOT bent over. When I’m done, I can just roll it out of the way–or into the living room if I want. I will silently bless my husband every time I end a computer session without knots in my neck.

What’s Your Preference?

Other years I’ve asked for writing books, new book shelves, study lamps for the desk, and other writing-related items for birthdays and holidays. My husband and kids used to think that giving that type of present was just too impersonal. At church last week, the men were even warned from the pulpit not to get their wives useful items like vacuum cleaners for Valentine’s Day. I had to reassure my husband several times that I really, truly, honestly wanted the laptop table more than candy and flowers. (We did go out for dinner, though, which was lovely, as was my Valentine.)

What about you? Does the writer in you want non-traditional gifts too?

February 13, 2009

Yesterday my critique group met for its weekly meeting. While we do include food and fun, it doesn’t take us long to get down to business. Manuscripts come out, the timer is set, and we’re off.

My critique group grew out of a Jane Yolen workshop fifteen months ago. Our weekly critique group has proved remarkably helpful to me in my desire to write more. I’ve tried critique groups before, and they’ve always fizzled out. This time, however, the group is made up of four serious writers. At the meetings we each read a chapter to critique, and the meetings last between three and four hours. It has been very helpful for a couple reasons.

a) Accountability: We are each expected to take our critique time seriously and show up each week with work to critique. Knowing this–and knowing that the other three women will be there with their chapters–has kept me writing on three projects this year. I’m making steady progress, and the critique group’s advice has been invaluable. Each writer raises different questions and makes different suggestions for change and improvement.

b) Time invested: All of us are busy, and to give up one whole afternoon per week to critique forces us to work hard during the week on our projects. None of us wants to show up with less than our best work. It would be wasting our time–and everyone else’s.

I think one key to a successful group is finding other writers equally committed to working and improving and growing. If you’d like to find such a group, “Writer’s Critique Groups: where to find them” on Harold Underdown’s Purple Crayon site gives valuable advice. A good place for children’s writers to find partners for manuscript exchanges is SCBWI (the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators).

If you want to join or form such a group, but you’re not sure how to critique, see the five articles on the process of critiquing at Writing-World.com

Yesterday morning, I wrote almost four hours in order to have my chapter ready for critiquing in the afternoon. Would I have worked that hard yesterday otherwise? No. So if you’re having trouble setting personal deadlines and keeping to a writing schedule, consider joining a critique group–or forming one of your own. It will help you write more–and you’ll have fun doing it!

February 8, 2009

I sat down last night to finally go through a stack of writers’ magazines and other periodicals that had accumulated. I looked forward to browsing, flipping leisurely through the pages, stopping when a title caught my eye.

So why was I fuming within thirty seconds? All that infernal marketing done with post card-type inserts stuck into the center spine. I hate them! I ripped out NINE such inserts in one magazine alone. The stack of worthless garbage litters the floor as I fume.

Viral Marketing?

All those annoying ads make it impossible to leaf through your magazine. Instead of the pages fluttering nicely, they jerk by in clumps unless you take the time first to go through and yank the ads out. They’re tucked in everywhere! Am I the only one who gets annoyed by those inserts? It makes me want to boycott their products–not buy them.

Hawking wares–telling people about your product repeatedly–never works on me. I only find it annoying. I’m affected the same way by ads that pop up constantly for the same product when I’m Googling for information, or email campaigns even from my friends. I know that when a new book comes out, you’re supposed to blitz people with “see my new book!” and “watch my new trailer!” and “join me for a free teleseminar!” and “view my podcast!” and “meet the author!” and “read my guest blog tour!” Maybe it works for other people, but I just end up feeling nagged and put off.

Where’s the Balance?

I know you need to advertise. It’s important to be willing to help with marketing your books in this publishing day and age. And yet you don’t want to cross over from intriguing a buyer into annoying him. How do you decide where to draw the line?