Tuesdays with Story

Writer’s Mail

Tuesdays with Story

July 21, 2017

Muggy and Melty Summer Round-up from 1st/3rd

We had a guest from Oregon (the state), Summer Bird.  She is co-chair of a writing group in Willamette, Oregon and enjoyed her time visiting our group. Our guest from Oregon is children’s and short story writer. Summer invited us to read a selection of her stories at www.summerbirdstories.com and let her know our thoughts.

Millie Mader (short story, “The Gold Star and the Silver Star”) I wrote from a long ago memory of what I had been told, and searched high and low for the Post Crescent article. It was all true—but not accurate in a number of ways. Millie’s decided to abandon the piece and get on with her short story,

Eva Mays (chapter 13, Dhuoda) . . . Pat confirmed my suspicion that Chapter 13 of Dhuoda could be fleshed out, including adding some scenes. When I gave away the ending (Ermengarde is dying and is training Dhuoda to marry the Emperor when she’s gone, not her son Lothar), Jerry noted that he had picked up some hints of Ermengarde’s ill health, but did not think it was enough to lead the reader to guess the ending prematurely. John noted that the galloper’s fate was not followed up on, and suggested filling in that hole. Thank you all for your critiques.

She and her family will move to Morgantown, West Virginia, on August 12. Her last meeting with us is August 1.

Amber Boudreau (chapters 27-30, The Dragoneer) . . . Amber read from the final chapters of The Dragoneer. Jerry thought everything was too dark and didn’t know how the characters could see what was going on. Amber rewrote the scene to include a full moon. Pat wondered if the dance would still be going on when the main character returned to the school. Amber finally decided that, yes, the dance would still be gong on, but half-time would be over. John didn’t think a little bit of liter fluid would get rid of body so Amber is going to rewrite that part to include more magic. Mike was left wanting more and felt a bit cheated. Jerry though Amber must have done something right for Mike to feel that way and she is already working on the sequel.

We’ve worked through her Dragoneer manuscript. She’s now shaping it up for the next step in finding a publisher.

Mike Austin (chapters 14-16, Riding with the Reed Gang) . . . “The reviews were mostly favorable, and the comments were all helpful. The biggest problem this time around was “why are these guys staying with Ida for 5 whole days?” It’s a good point, and one that I’m working with and willing to change if it would only work out with the next chapter. We’ll see. I feel ambiguous about it, and feel like it might seem a little too contrived, just as a plot device that fits the timeline of the next chapter. On a different topic, John had the comment that I’m often writing in the passive voice. Also a good point, and I’ll have to go over it and see how I can fix that. Thanks everyone for your help and insights!”

Jen Wilcher (chapters 5, Hogoshiro Chronicles) . . . We learned some interesting moves from the dojo in this excerpt!

Pat Edwards (chapters 11-12, Exploring the Magic of your Hero’s Journey) Pat updated the group on the timeline for publishing (about eight weeks) and her cover choice.  Most agreed that the addition of personal anecdotes as examples were a good choice. John liked the anecdote additions because they moved the writing away from lecturing to the reader. Pat agrees wholeheartedly.  She also highly recommends an editor other than yourself, because you just miss way too much!

Jerry Peterson (short story, “Aboard a PT”) . . . John Schneller felt this story was the best of the series to date, but he caught an error in the travel time from Rendova Island to the Ferguson Strait. Pat Edwards liked the choice of words for the master chef touching a new model torpedo. He ‘caressed’ it. Larry Sommers zeroed in on another word choice – clambered. “We’ve got too much clambering in this story,” he said.

Bob Kralapp and Liam Wilbur – Both are back with the group. Bob, who has been living in Milwaukee, recently moved back to Madison for the laid-back lifestyle he enjoys.

Stop Selling Your Books  by Brian Jud

Most products, including books, are combinations of tangible and intangible elements. People do not buy the tangible features of a book, i.e., the paper and ink that create it. They buy the intangible benefits they receive from reading fiction: a vicarious feeling of fantasy, romance, adventure or mystery. And when purchasing nonfiction, they are buying information, motivation and help.

As an independent publisher, you will become more successful at marketing when you stop selling your books and begin selling what your books do for the people who read them. That is the difference between marketing a feature, an advantage and a benefit. A feature is an attribute of your book. It could be its size, binding, title or number of pages. An advantage describes the purpose or function of a feature, and a benefit is the value the reader receives in exchange for purchasing your book. People buy value, not generic books.

One way of distinguishing among these three definitions is to use the “So What?” test. When thinking of a reason why someone would purchase your book, put yourself in the place of the prospective buyer and ask yourself, “So what?” Keep doing that until your imaginary customer says, “Oh. Now I understand.” Then communicate that concept in your promotional literature and they will be more likely to buy.

Feature: A four-color cookbook with a spiral binding. (So what?).

Advantage: It will lay flat while you are preparing the meal, making it easy to read. (So What?)

Benefit: It contains recipes that are easy to prepare and guaranteed to please your guests. You will have more time to socialize and enjoy yourself at your parties. (Oh. Now I understand.)

Impact on marketing strategy

Just as individuals have a variety of reasons for purchasing your books, businesses also have diverse reasons for buying them. For instance, think about the companies in your channels of distribution.

People at each level of the distribution network have a unique reason for buying your books, and a plea to an incorrect appeal will not motivate them. The key to persuading each to carry your books is to show them why it is in their best interest to work with you. For example, when selling to the buyer at a retail operation you would demonstrate that your superior promotional plan will bring more people into their stores, increasing their inventory turns and profitability. However, an appeal to profitability would not entice a librarian to purchase your book, nor would it persuade a college instructor to buy it as a textbook. The key is to match the appropriate benefit to each prospective customer’s reason for wanting to own it.  Read the full post at http://www.selfpublishedauthor.com/content/stop-selling-your-books

Who’s up next . . .

August 1: Eva Mays (chapter 14, Dhuoda), Rebecca Rettenmund (chapter 4, Hunting for Dad), Jack Freiburger (short story, part 4, “Jesus Walked into the IHOP”), Tracey Gemmell (chapters, Casa Something, Bob Kralapp (???), Katy Sullivan (???)), and John Schneller (chapter, Final Stronghold).

August 15: Millie Mader (???), Paul Wagner (prologue, part 2, Rise of the Serpent), Mike Austin (chapter, Riding with the Reed Gang), Tracey Gemmell (chapters, Casa Something), Kashmira Sheth (chapters, Nina Soni, book 2), Jen Wilcher (chapter 6, Hogoshiro Chronicles), and Jerry Peterson (short story).

August 29: Fifth Tuesday. Tracey Gemmell will host us at her home in New Glarus. This is a potluck event.

Editor Dude

John Schneller will be the August editor.  Send him cool stuff.