I can’t add anymore to ‘budget yourself’ better than Rhonda has said.  Both Rhonda and I have been at this career for nearly 20 years, we know how to do it.  My advice, learn from the ‘old salts’ and you’ll have a long career.

Now….I’ve had such disappointment with book shopping lately that I’ve decided, I shall fill the gap I’m seeing in the industry.  Big dreams, huh?  I say, go big or go home.  

I searched through that To Be Read pile and found a couple I didn’t recall buying. I’m having a reading fest right now and enjoying the heck out of it.  But I decided the other day that I have to be more drastic to change my frame of mind from Marines, to knights in armor. (not much of a stretch when you think about it)

Changing my office is one solution.  It’s encroaching on me and looks like a storage locker.  I miss the historical aura that once surrounded me.   Stupid stuff like my tiny resin castle collection and my snow globes of knights and dragons.  I want to write medieval again, but differently than I did before; richer, darker and more dangerous, (at least to me) maybe with historic figures in the mix.  

The only way to go is to plunge right in. 

AMY

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

I don't spend a lot of money on promotion - thanks to the other Babes, I was coached early, lol.

Postcards are an inexpensive way to leave information at various conferences, as are business cards. Instead of having just my name on the card, I have the book cover, a blurb and my contact information.

I buy pencils with my website address on them, for school visits. I bought pens once, but they weren't quality so I don't know that I would do that again.

Bookmarks are fine, if you spend the little bit extra to get good paper stock and use a professional printer.

I just bought 250 wrist bands that say "I love writing" and have my website on them, for 88 dollars. I don't what they look like, though, so I can post more next week. I have a young adult book coming out in April, and three school visits, so I need fun give aways for the kids.

I do as many booksignings as I can, and go to as many conferences as I can, for networking purposes more than the classes. I wear my nametag, because I am my own promotion...scary, but true, lol

 My website, fanpage and author page on Amazon are all updated - oh, and I did just hire a publicist to help me coral my wandering interests and try to find a brand for me, that fits all of me and my books.  I decided to invest in my 'career', and I will gladly share with you all what I learn as I go.

I've studied marketing, and spent a lot, lot lot of hours trying to distill what I've learned into something managable - mostly what I learned is that I will never come close to knowing enough, lolololol.

I've reached the point where I would rather hire someone to do my website and web promotion so that I can actually write!

Those are my thoughts - does anyone have a great idea on promotion that was a game changer in terms of actual sales? Please share, if you do!

Traci

Got a budget?  Well, then that should be thing one on your list.  I’ll say my little mantra again – you have to spend some money to make money but only a fool spends more than she earns.  Think of yourself as a business – you are.  You’re a self-employed writer.  You need certain things to hone your skills – computers, paper, ink, toner, paper, etc.  What you don’t need is a tiny bottle of tabasco sauce attached to a bookmark claiming your book is hot.

Let’s pretend that your business is a pizza parlor instead of writing.  You have $10,000.00 (your advance) to open your shop.  Then let’s say you decide to spend $10,000.00 on ads and signage (ads, bookmarks, tabasco sauce, pens, etc.).  Guess what?  Now you don’t have any money to spend on your product (ink, paper, computers, cost of living, etc.).  If you saw someone doing that you’d call them a fool.  Who opens a shop when they can’t afford dough ad sauce because they’ve spent everything on advertising?

So how do you make a budget?  Percentiles.  I personally won’t spend more than 20% of my advance on promotion.  So I pick and choose very carefully.  I start with the free stuff – guest blogging, signings, stock signing, speaking to libraries and schools, twitter, facebook, etc.  Then I may decide to do a paper product – a bookmark BUT ONLY if I can advertise at least two books on that one bookmark.  Let’s face it, indies are a dying breed and Barnes & Noble isn’t going to give up point of sale space for your bookmarks.  Then I go on to conferences.  I evaluate carefully.  Am I going to reach/attract new readers?  If not, is this a budget item that I am marking pure networking?  If so, it better not be a budget breaker.  Right now the biggest tool out there is the Facebook ad.  I’d do that long before I’d advertise in traditional publications.  However, if I did want to do a traditional magazine, it would be RWR or Mystery Scene.  Those are not fan-driven publications and in the case of the RWR, you’re hitting a lot of the same people as say RT at a fraction of the cost.

At 40+ books, I now think a webpage, Twitter and Facebook are my outlets.  I have 24 coffee mugs made and 25 pens made. (I only do things that can be used again and again) The reason?  People know I only do a limited amount of promo and they hurry to see if they can get one.  I guest blog and do exactly two book signings – 1 at a store and 1 in my home (a party for friends with a bookseller who comes and sells the books for me to sign – thank you Joanne!).

So my pro-hoing tip is to stop spending money and start using what is already out there to your advantage.  If you don’t believe me, take a look at the USA and NYT bestseller lists and you’ll find a whole group of people who don’t whore themselves.  They simply write good books.

Before I Go To Sleep

by S.J. Watson

A stunning debut, Before I Go To Sleep is the first novel in a long time that I simply could not put down.  A psychological amnesia thriller, S.J. Watson manages to keep the suspense level high, as the reader struggles  along with the heroine to rebuild her lost life one memory at a time.

Imagine waking up every morning not remembering who you are or anything about your life...like who the strange, hairy man is lying next to you.  You look in the mirror and you're at least twenty years older than you thought.  You were sure you were in your twenties, but your face and body tell a different story.  Then imagine trying to feel love for the guy in your bed, who is apparently your husband of twenty-two years. 

But Christine tries, every day, to regain whatever feelings she might have once had for Ben, since he so obviously loves her and takes good care of her.  If only she felt she could trust him, that task might be somewhat easier.  However, as it stands, something doesn't feel quite right.  If only she could remember....

Her story is told through her journal, which she begins writing at the urging of Dr. Ed Nash, an amnesia specialist, trying to make a name for himself.  She's not sure she can trust him, but she does like the idea of the journal that she can build on by stringing the few memories she has together to figure out who she is and where she's been.  Lucky for us, she just happens to be a novelist, and her journal reads as lyrically as any first-rate prose.  When pondering whether her son, whom she learns about anew every day, ever learned to drive and took her anywhere fun, she writes:  "Or did he decide there was no point, that whatever enjoyment I might have had at the time would disappear overnight like snow melting on a warm roof?"

The one caveat of her sessions with Dr. Nash--she mustn't tell Ben about them, or about the fact that she's keeping a journal.  Ben turned down Dr. Nash's offer to help Christine, and she's bound and determined to figure out what Ben is protecting her from.  After only a few days of journaling, it becomes obvious that Ben is lying about something--several somethings, in fact.  While she continues to wake up not knowing who she is, the journal is helping fill in more and more holes.  Dr. Nash calls her every morning to reintroduce himself and tell her where she keeps her journal hidden. 

As Christine's hellish life unfolds for her, so it does for us, too.  Reading her journal, you'll feel as though you're experiencing everything with her for the first time.  You get a true sense of how it must feel for her every single day, as she rediscovers who she is and what her mission is.  Along the way, she's not sure who to trust.  Ben?  Her journal warns her not to, while, at the same time, reminding her that she loves him.  Dr. Nash?  She wants to trust him, but often feels more like an experiment, not sure if he has her best interests in mind. Her best friend, Claire?  Christine recently remembered Claire and how close they were, but why has Claire stayed away, and is she telling Christine the whole truth about what happened all those years ago? 

I loved this book, from beginning to end, and never felt let down as far as the suspense went.  There was no good place to stop--ever.  It's one of those books where everything disappears around you while you read, as you become fully immersed in Christine's nightmare.  So, here's my warning to you, do not pick up Before I Go To Sleep unless you've got a spare day you don't mind losing to a well-written, memorable book. 

Bonnie Crisalli

The Babes are supposed to be talking about the most valuable conference.  I haven't been to one in a couple years so I'm not a good judge.  The last one I attended was Sleuthfest in Florida and I enjoyed every minute. I got to meet one of my idols, Steve Cannell. (RIP) And spend a week with Babe Rhonda.  It was a laugh fest. If you want to learn about writing, RWA National has 100 workshops in 3 days. The price has risen to nearly $500, so its not cheap. (worse after you add in hotel and flight)  My advice, if you go, go with a goal in mind, whether it's to meet your favorite author or an editor, or just learn all you can about period writing.  A goal keeps you focused.  

I know, without goals, I'm all over the place and accomplishing nada. 

So... with that I'm focusing on my goals today (I make a list every night for the next day) and I'll leave you with a little laugh to add to your day.  This is one of my favorite comics, Danny Bhoy. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ9-J9dpim0

Have a good one!

AMY

Who can you call?

Writing is a solitary job. Nobody else can put words to paper in your voice, in your style. But a good critique partner can swing you in the right direction and point out when you, perhaps, are straying off tangent.

Having a fresh pair of eyes ready to read for content as well as grammar and spelling is a gift. In addition to a weekly critique group, I am lucky to have three people I trust, in my corner, raring to go as soon as I say “Deadline!” J

Only one of the three is a writer, the other two are voracious readers and can tag a contrived plot from twenty pages. They know character arc, they know when something is dragging and boring, and they know when I spend ten paragraphs too many talking about fish in Atlanta.

I know how much time this takes away from their own day, and their feedback is critical. I thank them from the bottom of my heart!!!

I will be writing four more books this year, after having just finished Crimson Gold – a historical romantic adventure that my agent has in his Kindle/iPad as we chat.  What keeps me motivated?  Knowing that there are readers out there who like my stuff, and who occasionally drop me a line. I’m easy – what can I say?

Happy 2012!

Traci

ps - guess i went off topic too..woops!!

Off Topic

There are times when you just need another writer buddy.  Someone who understands exactly what you’re going through as you slog through your manuscript.  In a perfect world, it’s someone who is better than you are – you learn more that way.

Take these last weeks.  Babe Amy has been my Godsend.  She’s gone back to the beginning of my manuscript and caught my mistakes and my many typos (I’m one of those people who don’t use spell check).  She’s taken time away from her own writing to make sure I meet my 1/27 deadline.  She’s had to read fast and furiously since I’m in speed writing mode – translation, I stay up all night and write, write, write until my beady little eyes can’t see anymore and then I sleep during the day, get up and do it all again.

Now that’s a friend.  She knows time is of the essence and she’s really been a huge help.  I’d do the same for her – have in the past and will continue to.

When are you not dealing with a friend?  Well, someone who simply criticizes and wants you to write the story their way – your story, your voice.  Someone who can’t or won’t get back to you in a reasonable amount of time.  I’m high maintenance.  I write a chapter a day.  That’s a lot to ask of someone and not everyone is up to the task.  They may have jobs, lives, their own deadlines – whatever.  You need to know that the person you’re depending on will be there for you.

Smiley faces are good.  A true friend will let you know when you’ve written good dialogue or you have a great line in the book.  Not all comments have to be negative.  Toss a bone every now and then.  Everyone likes to be praised.

I’m just sorry not everyone has a Babe Amy.  She’s always an email away!

Underground Time

by Delphine de Vigan

I'm in a quandary as to whether or not to recommend this one.  On the one hand, the prose is absolutely stunning.  It somehow manages to be lyrical, while gritty and starkly realistic at the same time.  And the storyline is an interesting, albeit depressing, one.  Definitely not the book to read if you're in the mood for a uplifting, feel-good sort of read.  It is an introspective novel of the highest order, so if it's action you're looking for, this is not the book for you.  However, that being said, the entire time I was reading Underground Time, I kept thinking that it was a very worthy read because of how well it was written, and because there was this simmering element of suspense that managed to keep the pages turning.  The reason I'm hesitating to recommend it is because it is one of those books you will most likely throw at the wall after having made an investment of several hours and more than a few emotional connections.

Obviously, there is something to this book, as it was shortlisted for France's prestigious Prix Goncourt. The superior writing would explain a lot of that, I'm sure.  And, there will always be the critics who are extremely impressed with a writer who does not choose a happy, predictable ending.  However, in my opinion, when a writer builds toward something, spells it out clearly for the reader, then it should come to fruition in a hopeful manner.  I felt the ending was a cop out, even if it did mesh with the depressing plot line.  This is one book I would have given anything to see end predictably, or at least with a spark of hope.  Instead, we're left with zilch, no hope, nada.

The story tells the tale of Mathilde, a forty-year-old widow, who's being bullied by her boss at work.  She made the mistake of contradicting him at a meeting, and he is now slowly, methodically working at not only ruining her career, but also tearing her confidence, as well as her life, to shreds.  This is corporate bullying at its nastiest.  It's heartwrenching to read, but intriguing at the same time.  The boss, Jacques, is a real piece of work, and his maniacal vendetta is so ridiculous, it's almost genius.  Many will wish that Mathilde would stand up to him, though he's so vindictively rotten, you'll also understand why she's afraid to do just that.

In a parallel plot line, Thibault is a lonely doctor, making emergency house calls in the city of Paris.  He's just broken up with Lila, a woman he, admittedly, loved too much.  Problem was, she was completely emotionless, unable to love him or show any reason why he should stick around (other than for the sex).  He's known for several months that their relationship was toxic, but finally made the break on May 20.

May 20 is a signicant date for Mathilde, as well, since it's the date that a pricey psychic told her would be life altering for her. Thus, the waiting begins for the life-changing event that is to occur on that day. We see snippets of Mithilde's day, as she arrives late to work (the trains weren't running properly), only to find her spacious, bright office has been taken from her, given to a new employee, and she's been moved to a small, windowless storage area, right next to the men's bathroom. Not a very auspicious beginning to a day she had been anticipating for some time. 

Meanwhile, Thibault's world has turned from full color to black and white, as he mourns the loss of a woman he deeply loved.  We see the city through his eyes, in all it's dinginess and despair, as he makes his rounds, performing a job he once loved, but which no longer offers any contentment.  Like Mathilde, he's at the end of a very long rope, ready to crumble at any given moment.  In fact, the storylines of the two sometimes mirror each other to the extent that they have the exact same thoughts, word for word, at similar points in their depressing days.  Realistic?  Maybe, not.  Effective?  Very.

Needless to say, the reader will assume that Mathilde and Thibault will meet at some point on May 20.  Otherwise, why open the story with the psychic's prediction, and then proceed to tell every detail of Mathilde and Thibault's day? Maybe it's just me, but I did expect they'd be each other's savior, at least in some small way.  Guess maybe I've read one too many romance novels (not that that's possible!); however, in whatever genre I'm reading, I do expect a writer to follow through with unspoken, but very real, promises.  As I said, why bother comparing Mathilde and Thibault's day, only to have it mean so little in the end.  (Notice, I'm not saying whether they do or don't meet?)  Enough said.

So, you can clearly see why I'm hesitating to recommend Underground Time.  It's beautifully written and offers an array of worthy insights.  I just wish I had a solid reason for having invested the time--like an ending that was less realistic and more uplifting.  Hell, I'd even have settled for a grain of hope or a dim light at the end of the underground tunnel.

Bonnie Crisalli

In the past year I’ve learned a lot about myself, none of it flattering.  I learned that the discipline that took me through 25 years with the Marine Corps and to write 37 books flew the coop.  I failed it and I own it.  Slacking and talking myself into a blue funk is easy when the writing isn’t going well.  In the real writing world, very few of us are published and even fewer have publishers that will actually back a book instead of just sending it out onto the shelves.  (I've had 37 of those!)

Getting back to work is a lot harder. I’m a cynic and jaded when it comes to publishing.  I don’t have an agent and after 6 years of doing my own contracts, the last agent I contacted treated me so rudely that I loathe them more than before.  Another hurdle to overcome, huh? 

I have motivation. Don’t ask me where it came from, I haven’t a clue.  But I suspect it’s from Babe Rhonda nagging me.  (love you for that!)  But my ‘I’ll show them’ attitude is back.  Yeah!

I learned that my mind can create exciting novels and it can talk me out of writing them.

So…I’ve been bitch slapped. =)

Amy

What did I learn about myself in 2011?  I hate these introspective topics, just so you know.  But I’ll be a good Babe.

I learned I don’t do well without structure in my world.  I’m an organization junkie and last year my world was a tad chaotic.  And I place full blame on me.  I should be a better delegator.  I should stop thinking that my way is the only way and ask for help more often.  This week is a perfect example.  I gave my hubby a slide converter for Christmas (he asked for it).  Did I set it up and explain how to turn his slides into stunning .jpegs?  Um, hell no.  Instead I scanned all 273 slides, 12 at a time, for him so he wouldn’t have to struggle learning a new skill.  I’m a moron.  It took forever and I personally don’t give a hoot about his slides.

I think it’s time to get a little selfish.  Selfish can be good.  Sometimes selfish is necessary.  With a little less time spent on other people’s stuff, I can spend more time making my world the organized little bastion I want it to be.  Maybe not a full-on ‘me first’ but in the old days I lived on a schedule.  I didn’t answer the phone when I was working.  I went to the store on a specific day and if we ran short of something the rest of the time I sent my hubby out to hunt and gather.  Hey – that‘s what men are supposed to do. 

Being a writer means being self-directed and apparently I can only do that if my planets are aligned.  That would be planet Bob and planet Katie.  He’s retired and she’s a teenager.  Time for more responsibility on their shoulders.  It’s not like I’d be asking them to split and stack wood.  Just easy stuff like make dinner once in a while and be responsible for their own laundry.  I need to spend more time writing and less time being someone’s bitch.  Because being the bitch makes me a bitch.  Maybe that’s what I learned about myself.

An Invisible Thread

by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski

This is an uplifting and amazing true story of a busy advertising executive who walked by an 11-year-old panhandler on the New York City streets and almost didn't turn around.  But something--an invisible thread connecting them--made her come back amd take that boy to lunch.  Thus began an incredible, loving journey that reshaped both their lives and gave them hope. You will definitely need a tissue box by your side when you read this one.

With the help of AlexTresniowski, a senior writer for People magazine, Laura Schroff shares her story in a compelling sequence of events, sometimes flashing back to her own abusive upbringing, and sometimes paralleling her take on things with the reality of what was actually happening in 11-year-old Maurice's drug-ridden, ultra-abusive world.  Some aspects of Maurice's life she never fully knew until the writing of this book, when Maurice shared his life story with Alex Tresniowski, as well.  This makes for an interesting perspective, her reality and his colliding, as the truth comes out in as poignant a manner as possible.

For many years after their chance encounter, Laura and Maurice met every Monday night for dinner, and often on Saturdays, as well.  Their time together meant the world to both of them, and what they learned from one another is immeasurablely more than either could have learned in school, on the job or in any other relationship.  Laura learned that a little love goes a long way with someone who is used to getting none.  That the mere act of baking cookies every week with Maurice would come to symbolize comfort and structure in a complicated world that had so often let them both down.  Laura was the first one to ever treat Maurice with respect and to tell him that she believed he was a good person, someone who could make it despite the overwhelming adversity he faced on a daily basis. 

And Maurice, wow, what a kid.  Somehow, with Laura as the ultimate role model (though she never preached, just tried to lead by example), Maurice managed to stay away from drugs, even though that was his family's only source of income.  His mother, his brothers, his uncles and cousins--all of them were addicts and/or dealers.  Most of the time, he lived in a one-room hell hole, with a dozen or more relatives and other addicts.  There was never any food, which was why Maurice was panhandling, and there certainly was never any sort of guidance.  How in the world anyone could come out of a situation like that and still have hope and love in their heart is beyond amazing.  And even more amazing was the fact that Laura recognized that in him and fostered it, taught him to go with his instincts about what was right and what was wrong.

The reading of this book will cause tears to be shed, heads to shaken and smiles to emerge.  It will make you realize that a loving act can go a long way to saving someone's life and enhancing your life in inumerable ways, as well. It will make you want to go out and do some good in this crazy world.  I guarantee, you will never look at a panhandler the same way, because you'll know that they all have stories, stories that would break your heart if you'd only take the time to listen. 

Bonnie Crisalli

I'm trying to stay positive, can you tell?

I don’t know what I have in store for this coming year. The last two have been the pits, so anything would be an improvement.  I started this career with a very strict routine.  The kids were small and like most moms, I had a limited time to write.  It was an obsession, new and exciting.  Now?  Not so much.   

Getting back to that routine is the real challenge.  I'm up at Oh-dark-hundred again.  So far, it's only left me tired in the middle of the day. =)  And drinking way too much coffee.

A boost to get back that routine is writing exercises and using speech recognition software.  I’m 'writing' this blog with it, yet I will tell you I'm doing more editing and correcting than dictating.  The jury is still out on the benefits.  I imagine it would be good for dialogue but so far saying ‘new paragraph’ is already inhibiting.  But that's minor compared to all I plan to do this year.  

So readers, Got plans?

Amy

The New Year makes me feel guilty.  Instead of looking forward I tend to focus on the stuff I didn’t get done the year before.  Sometimes that is a daunting list! 

But this year I will try to make a few changes.  I need to work faster.  A lot faster.  In a perfect world I should be able to write 2-3 books a year.  Hell, there were years when I wrote 5 books in a year.  My age is showing.

I seriously need to stop smoking.  I quit at least once every two years but I obviously don’t stick to it.  Unfortunately smoking is my friend.  I need a better class of friends.

I need to get better about social networking.  I still think of Facebook and Twitter as huge time-sucks but I know in this environment they are necessary and I should be embracing them instead of loathing them.  The problem is, I’m just not interesting enough to tweet my day or update my status.  What can I say?  Stayed in my PJs all day?  Ate a whole bag of peanut M&Ms and I’d do it again in a heartbeat?  Could I be less of a dork?

I need to stop playing Words with Friends.  Or at least cut back.  I forced myself to stay away for 1 week – probably to the utter frustration of my playing partners – but it was a necessary intervention.

I need to rejoin the world.  I’ve been living like a hermit for more than a year and I know that isn’t a healthy way to live.  I need to nurture my interests and come out of hiding.  Babe Traci is going to help me with this.  So is my hubby.  We’re going to try to have a date night once a month – the best we can swing with our daughter’s nutty schedule.

Lastly, I need to embrace the fact that my kid will be driving in 6 months.  I have to stop wishing I could put her in a bubble and protect her from the world.  But for a whole year she has to drive with one of us in the car.  I’m sensing a serious case of white knuckles in my future!

The Babes would like to wish all their readers a happy and prosperous new year!

Good things are coming!

For me, Christmas is dull without little kids around so I have to work on getting in the spirit.  I baked cookies just to have the smell in the house. 

Low and behold, I created a new cookie yesterday.  Unintentionally, be assured.  My husband likes a shortbread cookie with chopped candied cherries, pecans and rimmed in coconut, called Santa's Whiskers.  They are a pain, lots of hand kneading, but I make them every year. 

I took the cherries and pecans, finely chopped, and blended it with a classic Snickerdoodle recipe.  They came out great, soft, chewy and Nick and I dubbed them 'Santa Doodles.'  I'll be making them again.

Now, I don't know about you, but I'm ready for this year to be over and leave THAT Amy behind.  She hasn't behaved like a writer much and needs to 'Straighten up and fly right' as my Dad would say.  I expect good things, maybe even good writing.

How about you?  What do you hope the new year brings?

AMY