April 19, 2008

Sharing with Writers
A newsletter that is also a community. Share your ideas. Learn from theirs!

From the Desks of
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
And Authors' Coalition Friends
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Sharing with Writers is the official newsletter of Authors' Coalition,
http://www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
an organization of writers who help writers.

To read this letter in plain vanilla text, scroll down. To read this newsletter with a bit more pizzazz (not much, though!) at Authors Den go to:
http://www.AuthorsDen.com/adstorage/1713/SharingwithWriters_Apr_No2Week_2008.doc

In the spirit of the advice I give in the Frugal Editor - - that is to use an extra pair of eyes whenever possible - - this newsletter is voluntarily copyedited by Authors' Coalition member, Mindy Phillips Lawrence ~ mplcreative1@aol.com
www.freewebs.com/mplcreative
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Note from Carolyn:

Dear Subscribers and Authors' Coalition Members:

This week I just can't keep myself from including a letter within my letter to you. It's from Sonya Weiss and, as you'll see, it's about how networking works. But it's also about the amazing rewards of being a writer. I don't think I need to say much more than that. Here it is:

"I discovered your site via the blog written by Dallas Woodburn. I read [your] essay 'Beating Time At Its Own Game' and thought wow, can I relate! Women did accept limited choices for their lives years ago and while it's not as common nowadays, it does still exist, especially in some religious circles like the one I was once a part of.

I hand wrote my first novel while in high school. I knew from an early age I wanted to be a writer and yet, I listened to what others said was acceptable for a young woman to spend her life doing.

I loved what you wrote:

'I also really like being proof that a new life can start late—or that it is never too late to revive a dream.'

I spent twenty years of my life doing what I was 'supposed' to do, trying to be someone I wasn't meant to be until a few years ago, I decided I was going to start over and do what I should have done from the beginning. I am a writer and boy does that shoe fit!

The New York Times bestseller list might never know my name...but then again, it just might.

Sonya

Carolyn Howard - Johnson
Websites: http://carolynhoward - Johnson.com (literary)
http://HowToDoItFrugally.com (all things about writing)
Authors' Coalition: http://www.AuthorsCoalitionandRedEnginepress.com
For the Frugal Editor, Amazon - direct: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870/
Blogs: http://AuthorsCoalition.blogspot.com, a blog focused on book fairs
http://www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com, a blog on all things publishing
http://www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog focused on YOUR reviews
http://www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com, a blog focused on editing, formatting and craft
And now blogging on War. Peace. Tolerance. And Our Soldiers at http://www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com.
And now! Squidooing at
http://www.squidoo.com/HowToDoItFrugallyforAuthors
and http://www.squidoo.com/carolynhoward - johnson
PS: Important this week is that Saturday and Sunday the LA Times Festival of Books will fill the UCLA campus again this year. 135,000 (or more) readers (note I didn't just say "visitors." I said "readers." If for any reason this book fair is not available to you, others will be. You'll find a list of book fair that you can utilize for making your book known to readers on the Resources for Writers page at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/book_fairs,_tradshows.htm . It's a pretty complete list that includes writers’ conferences, trade show and fairs big and small, located all over the nation.

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Please pass this letter on to others. Unlike many, I do not mind if you use only portions of it as long as you credit the writers and include this subscribe information. "To subscribe to 'Sharing with Writers' send an e - mail to HoJoNews@aol.com with 'Subscribe' in the subject line."
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New in Sharing with Writers

Tidbits on Writing Humor is a new mini feature that will appear in your Sharing with Writers newsletter. I met Anne Louise Reinard (www.annelouise.net), one of those faces enraptured by the goings on at Dayton University's Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop. Our meeting and eventual collaboration happened in two steps. She introduced herself to me not only as a one of the attendees at my seminar on self - editing but as a neighbor in a community near mine in the Los Angeles area. The second contact came in an unexpected way. I forgot to retrieve the sign - up sheet I had sent around at that seminar for both this newsletter and because the room was so packed I didn't have enough of my handout for everyone. So I sent a blanket apology to every single Erma Bombeck attendee that I could glean from the business cards I had collected and those from another attendee, Mindy Hoffbauer's collection (www.writeangle.biz). Anyway, the response was huge and Anne Louise was among them. We started e - mailing and now I have a creative new columnist to fill a niche heretofore unfilled. For your pleasure. Even those of you who aren't humorists can learn something from her. Humor can spark up an otherwise very dull book proposal, as an example. So listen up! Anne Louise is here.
===================================================== New members will help Authors' Coalition serve all its members better! Ask your writing friends to join at http://www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com/. Paid members get a favorite review posted, consideration for an interview or review in Yarnspinners and Wordweavers, ditto for The Fiction Flyer and Betty Dobson's Inkspotter. Membership is reasonable, too.
Tell friends to visit our blog. There they'll learn how to spark generally insipid book fairs by using value - added promotions. www.authorscoalition.blogspot.com.
http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
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Subscribers Sharing with Subscribers

Birth of HoboNovel Marketing

In preparation for the release of Miss West, my third self - published novel, I decided to give away copies of my previous titles, ’Neath A Crescent Moon and Thelma's Quilt via my web site. Even after extensive media announcements, I received a single request. Postage cost me as much as the book. I needed a plan for my novels to develop legs of their own, and to boost the number of hits to my site.

I changed my web address from www.RogerStorkamp.com to www.HoboNovel.com and switched the focus from me as an author to my HoboNovels, which I named Ladies - of - the - Road. A label across the spine of each cover reads: My name is HoboNovel. May I hitch a ride? On the fly page, I’ve identified the book by a coded number and instructed each reader to write down the location in which he or she found the Hobo Novel before passing it forward. If so inclined, that read can update the book’s traveling itinerary at www.HoboNovel.com.

At book signings I offer a free HoboNovel to anyone who promises to pass it on when finished reading. With the individual’s permission, I post his or her name (first and last initial only) on the HoboNovel website as having launched a Lady - of - the - Road.

For additional details about the project and to view the list of 500 readers who have agreed to participate thus far, go to www.HoboNovel.com. Also listed is each reported sighting of a Lady - in - Transit. Eventually, I will offer a cash prize for the return of the HoboNovel with the most extensive itinerary.
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Submitted by Roger Storkamp, author and speaker. Find him now at www.hobonovel.com

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My blog, War, Peace, Tolerance and Our Soldiers is where I get to nag and rag to try to make things better for our troops and maybe for the world. It's only been active a few weeks and is gathering an amazing following. I'd love to have you leave a comment. www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com
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Amazon Is Cool Again: Shopping by Cell Phone

Joyce Faulkner, author of Sunchon Tunnel Massacre (www.JoyceFaulkner.com), sends SWW information on a new Amazon offering. She says, "OK, Amazon is cool again." Her take on this new Amazon product underscores the sort of casual attitude I have that it is better for authors to swing with Amazon than fight it. Even if - - in one single glorious moment - - all authors became a strong union and hung together, it would be unlikely we'd sway Amazon. In the meantime we lose much by not letting our customers buy our books whatever way they want to. It is our readers we should be thinking about.
Anyway, Amazon has a new feature for shopping by using the text message feature on their cell phones.

TextBuyIt was reported by Jessica Mintz on the Associated Press (AP) newswire. Shoppers will not only be able to buy but compare prices by tap - tapping on their cell phones, as so many have become so proficient at doing.

Mintz says, If Amazon stocks matching items for the product that the cell phone customers searches for, "the service returns two results at a time. Shoppers can immediately buy one of the first two of the selections by texting back the number '1' or '2,' or they can ask for more by texting the letter 'M.'"
New TextBuyIt customers will be asked to enter the e - mail address they use with their existing Amazon account along with a shipping zip code. The service then calls them on their phone "and walks through the checkout process using an automated voice system. Shoppers get confirmation by text message and e - mail. From there, the customers can check on order status on Amazon's Web site."

Some are saying that this is another attempt by Amazon to steal customers from bookstores and other retailers. As you can see, from Joyce's comment, some just find it "cool." My take is simply that we live in a capitalist country and competition is the name of the game. They won't get my business this way, anyway. Not because I object to capitalism. It's because I don't text and if I did, I wouldn't be that avid about it.

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So you got As in English. You know grammar and spelling. That's great but an editor of you it doth not make. An editor knows formatting, front and back matter, indexing, structure, the elements of fiction and on and on. But mostly she'll see your manuscript in a fresh, new light. Learn how to hire a great editor and learn to be a better partner for any author - - awful to superb - - in The Frugal Editor.
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Thank Yous

(There are leads here, just as you'll find in all the most innocent - looking areas of this newsletter. You never know when you'll find a name or a site that will help you network or write better!)

To Irwin Zucker and Ernie Weckbaugh for letting me expound on the making of a successful book fair booth at the bimonthly meeting of Book Publicists of Southern California (BPSC) and to many of the subscribers of this newsletter who live locally who came to support me including Pam Kelly, Linda Ballou, Deborah Amelon, Fred and Liliane Ephraim and Rey Ybarra. If I forgot anyone, let me know and I'll fix the oversight in the next issue. ( - :

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No part of this newsletter is paid advertising. If you would like to advertise to subscribers, display ads are available at www.howtodoitfrugally.com at less per year than most sites charge for a single month (see the advertising tab at the top of the page). Authors' Coalition www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com is also accepting ads. So is Yarnspinners and Wordweavers. Contact katieseyes@aol.com.
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Q&A a la Ann Landers

On Those Pesky Simultaneous Submission

Question: Some publishing houses say they don't accept simultaneous submissions but their response times are inordinately long, Good grief. I could be 1007 years old before my manuscript finds a home!

Answer: In The Frugal Book Promoter I advise against exclusive submissions and tell an anecdote about a panel of experts I once saw at at Summer Literary Semester at Herzen University in St. Petersburg (Russia). All of the panelists - - prominent publishers and editors of review journals - - pooh - poohed the whole idea of simultaneous submissions. So my advice that those requirements can be ignored (judiciously) is not only based on the patent unfairness of the practice to writers but also on the fact that most publishers recognize it is unjust and generally ignored as well.

There are ways to make simultaneous submissions work for you including informing the publisher that you are submitting simultaneously in your query letter. In The Frugal Editor I talk about writing query letters that will get your work looked at (i.e. avoiding little known faux pas) including how to approach delicate things like simply asking for what you want. That's what a query letter is, after all. You're asking for something.

One note of caution: Treat the publishers with respect. If you send in your manuscript simultaneously, you should keep a list and notify them all if one accepts it. That way they don't spend more time on consideration if they are, indeed, doing so.

By the way, my novel This Is the Place was submitted simultaneously to 23 publishers because I needed to get it out before the Winter Olympics in Utah in 2002. I didn't receive one letter of complaint. I got three offers to look at it, two of whom couldn't get it published early enough to make my self - imposed deadline. I'd say my unorthodox treatment of submissions worked pretty well and that was quite a few years ago when rules tended to be stricter than they are now.

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Subscribers who have websites or newsletters of their own may be interested in the Free Articles 4 Readers and Writers on my site, www.howtodoitfrugally.com. I try to add new articles to it each week. If you don't see what you need for your blog, or newsletter, just ask. HoJoNews@aol.com.
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Tidbits on Writing Humor

By Anne Louise Reinhard, fan of Dayton University's Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop and humor writer. www.annelouise.net


In order to be humorous, writing needs to have a twist that’s unexpected – an element of surprise. Here is a perfect example of an unexpected conclusion from Erma Bombeck: "When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out."

I must say that my ideas aren’t always this good, so I have devised this “unexpectation” test for my writing: I read the story aloud to someone, but I pause before the punch line and ask them what they think is coming.

If they start their answer with “Duh”, then I know I need to rework, or at least reword, the story. Sometimes, one of them will come up with something way better than what I had, which is why I always call this a collaborative process. ; - )
May your keyboard never falter!

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Fun and F r * *: If you purchased the Frugal Book Promoter or the Frugal Editor, I'd love for you to review it on Amazon or BN.com. Make it simple; just tell what part of it you found most valuable. If you do, send me the review link (URL) and I will send you a handout from one of my UCLA classes. As a thank you, of course. HoJoNews@aol.com
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On Poetry

This is a new running feature for the poets among us and those who would like to try writing poetry but feel, well . . . inadequate. Please send in your poetry tips and resources for this section.

Basic knowledge of poetry can inspire your other writing. Concepts like alliteration, assonance, metaphor, simile, (even meter!) can be used effectively in everything from literary work to effective headlines.

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Don't suffer with book proposals. You can be a pro with and investment of only 20 minutes and 49 cents with my Great First Impression Book Proposal Short.
http://www.amazon.com/Great - First - Impression - Book - Proposal/dp/B000YG6O5U
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Feature

Big Publisher Learns from the Little Guys

Rumor has it that HarperCollins is modeling a new approach of authors - - a move away from the traditional advance scenario that is becoming too costly for publishers and counterproductive for writers because the risk severely limits the number of new authors publishers can take on. (By the way, I call this a rumor only because I haven't been able to trace my way back to the original news story or media release, not because it probably isn't true.)

HC is planning a new imprint that does just that. One of the benefits I foresee for a model that includes partnering with authors (as many smaller publishers have been doing for years now) is that all publishers (and, yes! authors, too) will begin to look at a book (all books!) for quality instead of dismissing a huge share of them based on the kind of press they were printed on. They will have to stop sneering at the term POD or self - publishing if it is, in effect, sanctioned by HarperCollins and if a smarty like Rupert Murdoch looked down the road and saw not only the possibilities that new technology affords but also the dangers in not embracing them and decided to integrate some new programs and technology that use been utilized and perfected by small publishers for years now.

If HarperCollins should also remodel the book return issue (as rumored) and other publishers follow suit (and why wouldn't they considering it benefits no one but the bookstores!), bookstores would have to become responsible for their own inventory (as they are in every other retail industry I can think of). That means we all might see more profits rather than less. The publisher, the authors, even the distributors. I mean, think of the bookwork and time that could be saved if books weren't moving back and forward from warehouse to the back rooms of bookstores and then shipped back to the bookstores again. (Yes, it does happen that way. Often.)

By the way, most retailers could not survive on 40% markup. 50% or more is the norm. For a no - return policy to work, bookstores would need to get a better return per book. In my opinion, it would be a very beneficial tradeoff for all concerned.

Of course, that might mean less business for shippers. I suspect they would survive.
CHJ

Award - winning author of books printed every which way and former owner of retail stores. ( - :
Blogging at www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com

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A general marketing rule is that a product must be seen seven times before it is purchased. That is just as true for books (because they are products, like it or not!). Let people see that book cover image! To do that, you are invited to advertise as a site sponsor at www.howtodoitfrugally.com for only $25 to $30 a year. Yep, the frugal way! Click on the Advertising tab at the top of the page or contact me personally at hojonews@aol.com.
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Author Successes

(If you read about others' successes you'll not only be inspired, you'll glean resources for future successes of your own. You are invited to send me news about your successes. Please use "AUTHOR SUCCESSES" as a subject lines.)

Joyce Sterling Scarbrough author of True Blue Forever and Different Roads, http://www.authorsden.com/joycelscarbrough1 published a short story "Hope Chest." in New Works Review literary e - zine's spring edition, www.new - works.org/fiction.html,

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Available: Audios from Audio Divas on many aspects of building a writing career are published by Double Dragon Press. Here is the page where you'll find the full list (http://www.double - dragon - ebooks.com/eAuthor.php?Name=Carolyn%20Howard - Johnson ) including one on "Do It Yourself Indexing." The first audio, "Promoting Easy and Cheap!" is a F R ^ ^ sample you can download. Each comes with a resource guide. Here is an example of a guide for the audio - lesson Your Divas did on "Contests": http://www.derondouglas.com/audiosample/AwardResourceGuideContests.pdf
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TIP: Want to find out if your book is marketable? One way is to discover what's being published and selling well today. Check your subject against Amazon's list of best sellers. Then check your competition to find out if what you offer in your book is unique and/or better than what's already out there. For regular timely tips, subscribe to Patrika Vaughn's newsletter for writers: www. acappela.com.

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Endorsement:" I am so happy for you to receive a second award [Reader Views Literary Award] for The Frugal Editor. I bought this book a week ago, and I love it. I can already see the improvement in my work. Thank you. You deserve this award."
Katherine Harms, author
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Tip: Now is the time to be thinking long term for publicity that will fit in with autumn and holiday themes for 2008. Most monthly magazines work six months or more out, so if your title has an angle that fits with Labor Day, Back to School, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah, NOW is the time to sent out queries. For regular timely tips like this, subscribe to Patrika Vaughn's FREE newsletter for writers: www. acappela.com.

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Authors' Coalition members! For credibility, use the AC logo on your promotional materials. Ask for it by sending an e - mail to HoJoNews@aol.com or download it with a click from the AC site http://www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com/AC_Promotional_Videos,%20Logos%20&%20More .
You know you want it on your website! Be sure to link it to the AC site, too! And there is a cross - promotional slide show there that will add movement and color to your site or blog, even if you aren't featured on it. It's all about Karma. ( - :
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Opportunities

Youth Dream Team: Free Reading Project (For Youth and Young Adults)

Author D. B. Pacini began a f r ^ ^ youth and young adult reading project in conjunction with her unpublished novel, The Loose End of the Rainbow. http://www.astarrynightproductions.com/loose_end/pages/dreamteam.htm She is asking SWW readers to contribute ideas for deserving organizations she might contribute to. Let her know at csgogh@yahoo.com. (Note: A portion of her earnings from her novel, Emma's Love Letters will be donated to the youth at - risk organization Guitars Not Guns.)
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iFOGO Introductory Offer: Never Pay Again!*

iFOGO is growing! We are in the final phase of our site development.
When complete, in addition to the 25 Reasons to be on iFOGO,authors will have the following capability:
• Upload data directly to their biography page and update in their browser
• Upload data (images, video, text) directly to an events page complete with calendar
• Obtain web - hosting starting at $5.95/month
• Enjoy any added new features FREE FOR LIFE!

We believe there is no better promotional offer anywhere.
For a limited time, until the final phase is installed, Authors who sign up and pay the current fee will never pay again for as long as the books they sign up are in print.

* See: Lifetime: http://www.myifogo.com/lifetime.html

* See 25 REASONS TO BE ON iFOGO at: http://www.myifogo.com/Authors/authors.htm

Here's an example of the way your page can look. http://www.ifogo.com/1Authors/Carolyn%20Howard - Johnson/howard - johnson.html

Gene Cartwright: Founder/CEO: http://www.ifogo.com/1Authors/Gene%20Cartwright/cartwright.html
Jonathan Scott: V.P. http://www.ifogo.com/1Authors/Jonathan%20Scott/jscott.html
The iTEAM
gc@ifogo.com
jscott@ifogo.com

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Authors' Coalition: No Hum - Drum Book Fair Promotion Allowed is a blog where you can watch how Authors' Coalition members make book fairs successful with cross - promotion, value - added promotions and a good assessment process. Find it at www.authorscoalition.blogspot.com. It's time to sign up for 2008's LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books.
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TIP: Here is a link to a PDF file from John Kremer. I'm not crazy about the idea of trying to get to number one on Amazon just to use it as a promotion device. Most editors and many readers are on to it as a ruse and it is lots of work. Having said that, the networking aspect of John's plan is fantastic. It would allow you to make contact with people who you can share with for your entire writing career. Plus, it would certainly get your book's campaign off to a good start. Here is the link: http://www.tenmillioneyeballs.com/Amazon Bestseller Campaigns.doc

========================================================Learn more about tips booklets and how to make them work for you. Paulette Ensign was one of the first master promoters I came in contact with. She'll teach you to make promotional booklets work for you with a variety of programs. http://www.kickstartcart.com/app/?af=696843
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In the News

Easy - Shmeezy Way to Sell Books on Amazon

SWW Subscriber Linda Ballou says that authors shouldn't assume they have to be part of the Amazon Advantage plan to sell books through Amazon. The Advantage plan requires a 55% discount and enables authors to have a couple of copies of their books kept in its warehouse. For more on that go to

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/partners/direct/book - book benefits.html/103 - 8753982 - 5693408 .

However, you may not have to be an Advantage member to be listed because online book stores borrow listing from one another and your book may get picked up as a listing from one of the other sites.

Then . . .

When Amazon receives an order for your book, they will serve their customer by ordering the book through the channels that regular brick and mortar bookstores use. They get that information from Books in Print. You want to be sure your publishers has listed your book there.

Or . . . .

You can go to
www.amazon.com/esec/obidos/subst/partners/publishing/pub - listing - form.htm/103 - 8753982 - 5693408.

Keep in mind that these links can't be guaranteed. Amazon can change them with no notice and often does just that.

You can also change or correct the information that Amazon has for your book by going to
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/partners/publishers/catalog - guide.html/103 - 8753982 - 5693408#enhancing.

So, see you do have more control over you book's future than you think you do.

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"AC is the current that powers your writing career." http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
Carolyn Howard - Johnson, Authors' Coalition Founder
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From Elizabeth Lucas - Taylor

(Elizabeth contributes at least one valuable paying resource per SWW issue - - either a great place to sell material or find writing craft or promotional idea - - and sometimes throws in a resource for you.)

In the next couple issues, Elizabeth will explain some rights terms:

If you sell ALL RIGHTS to your work, it no longer belongs to you. Should you decide to include it in an anthology of your works later on, you will have to request or purchase back the right to do so from the publication that bough All Rights " from you.
- - - - -
Find Elizabeth at http://www.authorsden.com/elucastaylor or her new blog at http://www.elucas - taylor.blogspot.com/ or at MySpace http://www.myspace.com/elucastaylor
where you will find a writers' community.

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Reciprocal Links: Many subscribers are in a position to cross - promote. Let me know if you would like to trade some recommendation or promotion for any of my books - - from the HowToDoItFrugally series to my chapbook of poetry - - for a place on my Resources for Writers or Resources for Readers pages on www.HowToDoItFrugally.com.
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TIP: Book Fair season is upon us. I just added a new addition to my articles and free content page. It is "Book Fair Blues? 12 Ways to Make Book Booths Better." Find it at www.HowToDoItFrugally.com/free_content.htm. Bone up on book fairs before you face disappointment. If you like it, borrow it for content for your newsletter, blog or e - zine.

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I use Vista Print for lots of my promotional materials. Be aware that shipping prices may fluctuate, depending on the deal of the moment. Please use this link:
http://www.vistaprint.com/frf?frf=815651421184
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Guest Feature

How Long Has It Been Since You Read Anything on Pacing? ©

By Vicki Hinze

For a moment, let's pretend that the words we write on the page are sounds. If all the sounds are the same, then we have monotone. Monotone puts us to sleep, bores us to tears, turns us off - - and if it goes on for any length of time - - ticks us off.
We can't get emotionally involved with monotone because every single word holds equal emphasis to every other single word. No sentence, paragraph, scene, or chapter bears more weight or is more intense than any other sentence, paragraph, scene, or chapter. The result is that the work is flat, dull, and boring. When writing it, we aren't actively engaged or enthused; we're writing on autopilot. That means when the reader reads, they're not going to be actively engaged or enthused, and they'll be reading it on autopilot. The reader can't get out of a book what the author doesn't put into the book. It's that simple. Autopilot translates to catching zzzs, snoozing.
Why? Because nothing is different. Nothing grabs us, insisting that we pay attention and get involved. Nothing commands us, dares us to look away, or challenges us to keep reading to see what happens.
Our book is a victim of lousy pacing. Words on a page don't create audible sounds, but they do create rhythms, and those rhythms are active in the reader's mind. This is why the writer must learn to effectively manipulate the story's pacing - - so that we writers invite and encourage and allow the reader to get emotionally involved in the story.
Every novel has a natural rhythm. A sweeping saga set in the South might be slow and easy. But there will be times during the course of the novel that the pacing must speed up and move like the wind. Otherwise, the reader is going to become anesthetized and doze through the book. We don't want that. So let's begin at the beginning and learn how to prevent it.
First, let's talk about what pacing is.
Pacing is the rhythm of the novel, of the chapters and scenes and paragraphs and sentences. It's also the rate at which the reader reads, the speed at which novel events occur and unfold. It's using specific word choices and sentence structure - - scene, chapter, and novel structure - - to tap the emotions of the reader so that the reader feels what the writer wants the reader to feel at any given time during the story.
In the movie, The American President, the female protagonist meets with a senator for dinner. It is her job to get his vote on a fuel fossil bill her employer wants passed. The senator comments that, if she's successful, she'll success herself right out of a job. She shoots back with a swift, "On election day, the voters think what I tell them to think. That's why I have a job."
In essence, that's the writer's perspective on pacing. You work the words, the scenes, the chapters, until the reader thinks and feels what you want them to think and feel about events occurring in the novel.
Now, just as a novel's rhythm can't be monotone, neither can a chapter, nor a scene, nor sentences within a scene. Take a look at the structure in one short paragraph:
Subject/predicate. Subject/predicate. Subject/predicate.
Reminds us a little of the drone of a jungle drum, doesn't it? No variance in the rhythm whatsoever. How long do you think it would take a reader to hear that drone before going on autopilot? Not long. But make a slight variation:
Subject/predicate. Predicate/subject. Subject/predicate.
Now, you've got a different rhythm going. The drone disappears. The reader might not consciously note the change of rhythm, but it won't subconsciously put him to sleep.
In manipulating the pacing, there are times when the writer wants to slow things down or to speed them up. But when do you do which?
Let's start with slowing down the pacing.
Learn to slow the pacing, speed up the pacing and more in this - - the most complete article on pacing I've ever seen - - by Vicki Hinze. Go to my Sharing with Writers blog at www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com.

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The New Book Review is a service of this newsletter and Authors' Coalition. It allows authors to get more exposure from their favorite review and reviewers a chance to have more readers see their reviews - - with links, of course. Please check the guidelines on the blog site at www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com.
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Into Words

An Itty - Bitty Column on Writing

By Mindy Phillips Lawrence

Character Development - - When you are trying to make your characters real, start with a chart or list of their attributes (like from where did they come? What is their background? What do they look like? What faith did they grow up believing?). Get as detailed as possible. Although you might not use all the information, it’s good to have everything down about that “person.” Do this for each of your main characters and any others that might be beneficial to your writing plan.

Your characters are real to you. Take time to visit with them and figure out how they express themselves. Take a mental walk with them and get to know them better.
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Mindy Phillips Lawrence www.freewebs.com/mplcreative is publicist and literary agent for Dr. Dan Skelton and representative for the fiction work of Bev Walton - Porter. She is in the process of researching a novel titled Alone is Where We Begin.

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Endorsement:
"www.HowToDoItFrugally.com , by Carolyn Howard - Johnson [is] a top website for writers . . . I'd say my ROI is over 1,000%. The advice is particularly strong in addressing the new author where they are in learning the publishing/selling process. Very practical. The site is excellent."
~ Hill Kemp, author of Capitol Offense, and contributor to Secrets, Fact or Fiction? I, ISBN 0 - 9737282 - 5 - 6 and Secrets, Fact or Fiction? II, ISBN 1 - 59594 - 062 - 6, LOC 2006904627, http://www.secretsfactorfiction.com
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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching:

& On April 26 & 27, Carolyn Howard - Johnson will sign her new USA Award - winning book the Frugal Editor ( as well as her others) at the LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books on the beautiful UCLA Campus in the Authors Coalition booth, #610 and 611.
www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks/

Other authors signing include Barbara Crandall, MD; David H. Jones, Joyce Faulkner, Pam Kelly, DanaLee Buhler, Annette Fix, Patti Kokinos, Pam Kelly, Deborah Amelon and poet Christine Alexanians. To learn more about opportunities for your book go to: http://www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com/fair_booths.htm. Visitors at this booth will receive free books with their purchases and be able to access a special price for Video from TV host, Rey Ybarra.
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Carolyn will talk inspiration. Read that "Writing for Fun and Profit" on April 29th at 4 pm ET (1 pm PT). Frank Gasiorowski is the host for "Motivation to Inspire, Inspiration to Empower and Empowerment to Take Action" at
www.BlogTalkRadio.com/PowerTalk or call 1 - 646 - 716 - 9940. Listen to Frank's program every Tuesday at 4pm ET and Thursday at 7 pm EDT with a new expert guest each week.
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Nancy Mills, founder of Spirited Woman, will be interviewing Carolyn Howard - Johnson in her 2008 Spirited Woman tele - chat series. Sign up now to be part of this exciting series, whether you want to listen to Carolyn or to the likes of Jacqueline Mitchard, author of the Deep End of the Ocean and Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of Pay It Forward. To listen live to Carolyn, circle Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 10 am (PST), 1pm (EST) on your calendar. Find the entire series at: www.thespiritedwoman.com/ spirited_woman_circle Advance registration needed.
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Carolyn Howard - Johnson will appear on Write On Four Corners with host Connie Gotsch on KSJE FM Public Radio broadcast from San Juan College. Access the program at: www.ksje.com at Wednesday, May 14 at 10:30 am and Friday May 16 at 2:30 pm. That's Mountain Time. Pacific times are 9:30 and 1:30. Click on the website to listen live in your appropriate time zone. Connie is the author of the mystery suspense novel Snap Me a Future as well as host of Roving with the Arts on KSJE and regular contributor to The Four Corners Free Press, www.fourcornerspress.com. You can also now go to MP3 podcasts and Write on 4 Corners to pick up the program after it airs.
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 The Catholic Writer’s Guild, www.catholicwritersguild.org, and Canticle Magazine, www.canticlemagazine.com, are pleased to announce the first Catholic Writer’s Conference Online May 2 - 9, 2008. Conducted entirely via Internet, the conference will feature online seminars and chat rooms hosted by editors, agents, published writers, and other media professionals in book and magazine publishing. F r ^ ^ to writers of all levels, advance registration is required. To register go to www.conference.catholicwritersguild.org. At 10 am, Pacific time, on Monday, May 5, Carolyn will present Your First Marketing Offense: Query Letters and Great Editing or Ten Ways to Let an Agent Know You Are an Amateur. Karina Fabian will moderate. Then Carolyn will co - present a seminar with Karina on book promotion at 11 am Pacific Time the same day.
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Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be guest speaker for Pamela Kelly's UCLA Extension course, "Public Speaking for Professionals" on Monday, May 19th at the Public Affairs Bldg, Room 2238, 7 - 10pm. Those interested in learning the steps to exciting and effective speaking, may enroll by going to www.uclatextension.edu and enrolling for Reg# T7594B. Pam Kelly is the author of Speak with Passion, Speak with Power!, a book on speaking that I strongly recommend for authors who want their books to succeed.
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Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be one of the featured winners of the USA Book News' booth at BEA on Friday, May 29, at the nation's premier book event, Book Expo America. She will sign her USA Book News Award - Winning book, The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success in the USA Book News booths, #835 & #837 in the PMA Pavilion at 11 to 11:30 am. Make BEA reservations and get info about the event here: www.bookexpoamerica.com .
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Carolyn Howard - Johnson will read from her chapbook of poetry, Tracings, Monday evening, Aug. 11, at 7:30 pm at the Village Bookstore 1049 Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA. Poets Alice Pero and Lois P. Jones sponsor ongoing featured readings called Moonday. Learn more at www.home.earthlink.net/ ~pero/moonday.html.
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The f r e ^ Muse Online Writers' Conference, sponsored by Lea Schizas and Carolyn Howard - Johnson, is accepting early registration. Nearly 2,000 attended last year and openings are limited. Learn more about this year's conference, October 13 to 19th, and how you can assure your spot in 2008. We will present an all - new program soon. Carolyn will do a seminar on "Query Letters! Editing them perfectly for a great first impression." Go to: www.freewebs.com/themuseonlinewritersconference/presentersregistration.htm

To see the growing list of presenters go to: www.freewebs.com/themuseonlinewritersconference/2007/workshops.htm
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 Carolyn Howard - Johnson will speak to the California Writers Club of San Fernando Valley at 1 pm on December 13, 2008. It's at the Encino Community Center, 4939 Balboa Blvd (just north of Ventura Blvd.), Encino, CA 91316. Learn more about the year's programs www.calwriterssfv.com and sign up to join. It's a dynamic group. E - mail is cwcsfv@gmail.com.

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Sign up to receive a copy of my Sharing with Writers blog in your e - mail box. It is a focused blog on all things related to writing and publishing. Go to www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com. Sign up in the left hand column. Find related resources by scrolling to the bottom of the blog.
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Wordstuff ™

Something to Make Writers Smile

(Definitions in the next few newsletters are from www.butlerwebs.com/jokes/definitions.htm.You might have some favorite neologisms, metaphors or similes that make you smile. If so, please contribute.)
"FATHER: A banker provided by nature."
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Essential Book and Record Keeping:

This letter is an entity of Authors' Coalition http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com

Edited and distributed by Carolyn Howard - Johnson,

http://carolynhoward - johnson.com

Author of This Is the Place, Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, Tracings, and the How To Do It Frugally series of books for writers,

www.howtodoitfrugally.com.

Tracings, a chapbook of poetry, published by Finishing Line Press may be ordered at
www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/qid=1139084827/sr=1 - 1/

This is a place to share with others and learn from others.

Though I do attempt to verify information used within this newsletter's pages, Sharing with Writers does not guarantee entities or information. Subscribers should research resources.

To submit information articles, tips or other information, e - mail Carolyn at HoJoNews@aol.com. Please put "Submission: Sharing with Writers" in the subject line.

If you do not care to receive this newsletter, send an e - mail to HoJoNews@aol.com with "Unsubscribe” in the subject line, but please, please don't tell me you've given up writing or promoting!

To subscribe to Sharing with Writers send an e - mail with "Subscribe" in the subject line to: HoJoNews@aol.com.

Please pass this newsletter on to friends or e - groups. It needn't be pasted in its complete form, but please credit this newsletter, Authors' Coalition and the individual contributors with anything you snip and paste.

Order the Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't at stores like UCLA, Dayton University and San Diego State University's bookstores. Order it as an e - book at http://starpublish.com/carolyn_howard - johnson.htm

or paperback at Amazon where it is discounted:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/193299310X/qid=1149015406/sr=2 - 1/

The second in the How To Do It Frugally series of books, The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success, is available at this link to Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870/


The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know About Selling Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less, is available on Amazon as a Short for 49 cents.
http://www.amazon.com/Great - First - Impression - Book - Proposal/dp/B000YG6O5U/