Word Praize

Jingle Journal?

The holidays are upon us. You didn't have time before, but now . . . forget it, right?

WRONG!

Now's the time to dig out that notebook and the fattest pen you can find. Though it won't help you this year (magazines query holiday piece six to nine months out) there is definitely story stuffed between the turkey and dressing. Slow down and take these weeks until the end of the year to record holiday memories--old and new. If you don't get a byline out of it, the words will be great for one-of-a-kind cards another year. But who knows? Those cranberry-topped crazies just might sell after all!

Here's an article on the subject:
http://www.writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/000502_12042002.html

Maybe some of our guest bloggers will tune in and share some of their holiday memories.

Don't forget to thaw the turkey!

Don't forget to thaw the turkey!

It Happens to Her, too?

It Happens to Her, too?
C 2004
Julie Jordan Scott

The moment flooded my vision with light. If I listened carefully,
I might have heard the string section in an orchestra playing
a grand crescendo of emotion as I tuned into the waiting
"a-ha" experience.

Julia Cameron has an inner censor who hissed "Who do
you think you are, writing a book about writing?" There
the words are, written by Cameron herself. They march
across a page in her book, "The Right to Write."

Wow. It is so, even for her? The Divine Diva of inspiring
writer-dom herself?

This realization brought my defenses flopping at my
feet, inert and exempt of their former power.

Julia Cameron hears the same sort of untruth and rumors
and sees the same sneaky slights of hand that we do.

What a relief.

Just this morning I was interacting with the tormenting,
barrier-like wall built up and surrounded by my nay-saying internal
anti-cheering squad.

My wall is made of chain links and barbed wire and
has electrical charges 6,026 feet above and below
it, too. There is no burrowing under it or climbing
over it without some extreme equipment which in
these moments seem way out of reach.

The chain link monster has a built in laughing track
and every single time I get within six inches of it the
wall itself there are out of control shrieks and gales
of laughter and taunting choruses gleefully, hatefully,
scornfully greet me.

I could be doing stand-up comedy in front of creative
souls and laughter would bubble towards me (and
towards themselves) due to the sheer ridiculousness
of my wall plus the joyful recognition that we are not
alone in our disengaging devices. We are also not
alone in the ease and ability to untangle ourselves
from what had at once felt like a strong-hold upon
our hopes and dreams.

We all have these sinister, ordinary, run-of-the-mill
and extravagant false beliefs and barriers to our
own brand of extraordinary-ness. None of us has
the corner on the monumental girth and depth
and tempestuousness of self-doubt.

Mine has ebbs and tides, it rises with occasional mean
spirited notions which I can usually spirit away rather
easily as quickly as they unexpectedly arise.

And guess what?

We can choose to create, to plan or to simply be even
when the winds from the gales of laughter feel like
we could fly our thought-made kites into them.

You, me, Julia Cameron, your next door neighbor
who bears a stunning resemblance to Clark Kent, we
can all choose to write or choose to sew or choose to
make that phone call we have, up until now, let our
own internalized inventions of doom cast their
power upon our moments.

Not any more.

I am siding with Julia. And You. And Me.

====
Julie Jordan Scott is a Writer, Life and Creativity Coach and
Teacher who facilitates writing groups and classes using
live workshops, teleclasses and courses via email so that
you can learn anytime, anywhere and within any budget.
Begin to uncover the savory, delightful, divine writer within you.
http://www.5passions.com/writingprograms.html

10 Reasons Why People Attend Book Signings

10 Reasons Why People Attend Book Signings by Catherine Franz

This is the survey result of 325 people conducted by myself so I can improve at my own book signings. After completing the survey, I saw the wealth of insight it had given me. I felt it was important to share it with a wider audience. I also interspersed some personal experiences.

The survey was conducted by Catherine in-person with people who attended book signings at area bookstores in Northern Virginia metro area between January 2004 and September 2004. A total of 325 people completed the survey.

Here is their response to one of the questions: Why do you
go to book signings?

If you are wondering how this can help you in marketing your book. These 10 items are extremely important. They tell what authors need to give to their audience in order to increase their books sales and to connect with the audience. When you know what you audience wants, what they expect, the guessing fades and transforms into a great book signing event.

Here are the top ten responses in answer to the first
question:

1. People desire to be acknowledged for taking their time
to come -- by you, the store, and others that came. Participants who have either already read the book, come to meet other like-minded people. They have a social intention and you need to give it to them. Most book signings don't have any social aspect to them so create one. When you include ways, you will definitely increase sales. People want connection, they don't want to be ignored. Get them to talk to the people around them. Introduce one person you just met to the next person to them. There are many techniques or create some of your own. A seasoned author learned to do this over time. Learn to do it sooner.

2. Curiosity. People are normally curious about authors
and how they write, or how they got their book published.
Tell them about your journey with all this. For the wanta-
be or gonna-be writers there because their vision includes
what you are doing, give them that feedback. It creates
immediate connection. Even if they didn't come not to buy
your book, usually they will change their mind, just because you settled their curiosity.

3. Entertainment. Yes, you need to be entertaining.
People do want that and they stick around (meaning they
don't get up and walk out) if they get it. Show energy, use hand gestures, and please stop reading from the page (number one pet peeve). Over and over again, I saw people leave when the author continued to read his presentation from the page. People don't expect perfection. They had a heavy week, or day, and they want some way to lighten it up. Even if your book is a heavy topic, lighten it up. Comical anecdotes about yourself are great!

4. Oh, the old, "what’s in it for me" discussion. What are
the benefits for them to read the book? Is there some
information that will help shift their thinking on anything? Use testimonials, ones that have some meat on their bones. Yes, you may need to make some assumptions on where the audience is at. Go ahead and do that. Create a few that cover a wider perspective and it will deliver to a wider audience.

5. There is nothing wrong with encouraging more sales. Who
else might be interested in the book. Their boss, friends,
sister, who? Go ahead, give gift ideas. What holidays or
events can you tie the book to? Is Christmas, Mother’s Day
coming up? Tie your topic and the holiday together if you
can. Mention the type of people who like to read this sort
of book. No, don't say everyone and anybody. This is
sometimes hard for authors because they attach it to
"selling." Drum roll...heaven forbid...selling.

When an audience is so enthralled in a book and its story, their mind isn’t on buying two books. They walk out with one and then when turning page three or five, a flash appears, "Ooops, I should have bought one for my boss." I guarantee you that it is very unlikely they will return to the bookstore to buy another copy at that point.

6. Do some things where you make extra connections with the audience. Just don’t sit behind the table. Stand up, shake hands -- no limp ones either, and look them directly in the eyes when you ask them, "Who would you like me make this out to?" Ask if they would like another book made out to someone else?

Here’s a SECRET tip. It makes a BIG connection. The
Japanese do this all the time. Put down the pen. When you
hand over the book, hold it cover up facing them with both
hands, present it to them slowly, purposely, as if it’s
worth a million dollars and a very special gift. Look deep
into their eyes at the same time (okay this part is
different than the Japanese), and say silently in your heart and in your voice, "Thank you." Watch them light up. Of course, smile.

7. As mentioned earlier, audiences come with a hidden
agenda -- to have a good time. To enjoy themselves. Create
that space of joy and lightness for them. Don’t think you
don’t have any control. The store wants you to succeed.
Share with them what type of experience you want the
audience to have. Ask for recommendations, ask for things
that haven’t been done before too. Give inspiration in
language, in thoughts, and in stories. Stories that pulls
the heart strings. If there isn’t one in the book, find
one.

8. There is nothing wrong with giving away a trinket, toy,
item, that comes from one of the characters. Or even it
isn’t directly and just somewhat related. You don’t need to spend lots of money on promotional items. Think. This
might require approval by the host store. You will usually
find that as long as it usually doesn’t cost them anything
and it increases book sales, they will encourage it. Give a gift if they buy two or three copies. Find a unique magnet, or something funny, something that doesn’t cost much but it just ads to the incentive to buy more than one. Sometimes the book store is returning something and can give you a remainder sale price. Ask.

9. You can’t say thank you too many times. Remember to
smile, say thank you, and be there with a loving and open
heart. This creates an attractive energy and pulls people
towards you.

10. Share tidbits about how the idea of the book came to
you. Did you write 15 minutes a day, a certain word count?
Did you get help from others, who? Did you struggle with
some part or something? Was there someone there for you
that inspired your journey? Please not the spouse comment
all the time. To singles this is boring and people said a
turnoff. Share tidbits about your childhood. There is a
child in all of us. Share your childhood with your
audience. Especially funny screw-ups.

Well, I hope you enjoyed learning what audiences want at
book signings. This process was definitely an eye-opener
for me. It gave me a real taste of people and their
expectations. Maybe another future survey would be to get
people to tell me why are they leaving early.

© Copyright 2004, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.


Catherine Franz, a Business Coach, specialized in writing,
marketing and product development. Newsletters and
additional articles: http://www.abundancecenter.com
blog: http://abundance.blogs.com

Memorable Reads 2004

I read a LOT during the course of a given year. Of the many books I've read in 2004 (including Truth Be Told by Victoria Christopher Murray, Ain't No Mountain by Sharon Ewell Foster and Mother Eternal Everlasting's Dead! by Pat G'orge-Walker), two of the most memorable are Soul Journey by Jacquelin Thomas and For Love and Grace by Kendra Norman-Bellamy.

Soul Journey stands out because the main character Journee pursues her calling (in her case, to preach the Word), no matter what. Her own father is against her serving as a pastor, but she doesn't let that stop her from obeying God's call. That story inspires me to keep doing what I know I'm called to do, namely write for Him, and help other aspiring authors to do the same.

For Love And Grace deals with issues of forgiveness, something we all need to be aware of. The close friendship between two men of God is endangered when one, a doctor, saves the life of a woman whom the other blames for the car accident that killed his mother. This causes a rift between the two men that only God can heal. This one inspired me to search my own heart and wonder how I would respond if I were either of the men in this situation.

In terms of my own writing, books like these inspire me even more to write the best that I can, so that the stories I tell don't just entertain, but edify as well. And, for the authors I've committed to helping, I need to make sure I'm doing all I can to help them get where they're trying to go. Juggling my own writing with helping others is a challenge, but it's my calling and I can't run from it.

Maurice Gray
Author of To Whom Much Is Given, Traveling Mercies (short story in Blessed Assurance anthology)

Stacy Hawkins Adams Interview

WP: Word Praize family, please welcome list member and debut author Stacey Hawkins Adams. Stacey, your first title Speak to My Heart (Revell) has hit the shelves. I know you're used to seeing your column in the Richmond-Times Dispatch, but how did it feel to hold your first book?

SHA: Mary, first of all, thanks for allowing me to share with our fellow list members about Speak to My Heart. It has been an exciting and humbling six weeks to hear from readers that the words God blessed me to share have made them laugh, cry, and ponder their relationships with God and with their loved ones. To answer your question, holding my first book was almost surreal. I thought I would scream for joy or cry, but when I held it, it was just a quiet and humbling moment to realize that this life-long dream had finally come to pass.

WP: Wow. I can just imagine what a thrill that was. I'm so excited to have you here. A while back, I saw your sale on Publisher's Lunch and thought, "Who is she? Lord, bless her, bless her, bless her!" Little did I know that you were on Word Praize! Please share some of your publishing journey.

SHA:  I have to say that this book deal has been ALL about God's blessings, because it literally fell into my lap. I worked on the manuscript of Speak To My Heart off and on for about three years and in the summer of 2002, decided to set it aside and pursue some other interests. I had received some lukewarm interest from an agent, but nothing concrete, so I was going to let the book "simmer" for a while and pray about whether to rewrite it or move on to another project.

Out of the blue, in December 2002, I received a call from an acquisitions editor with Revell Books.  He wanted me to help a friend of mine write a proposal for a book. He was interested in the story she had to share, but felt that she needed a professional writer to help her pull the project together. As we discussed that endeavor, he asked me to send him some of my work. Several months later, after he had read the manuscript, he told me he liked it enough to pass it on Revell's fiction editor, who also liked it.  In June 2003, the company offered me a contract.

WP: SPEAK TO MY HEART is Revell's first African-American title. Has your title been marketed any differently as a result? What types of things have you done as a first-time author to promote your book? Your website is stunning and will draw many visitors I'm sure.

SHA: As a first-time author, I was very surprised to learn how much effort I would have to devote to promotion and marketing. I realized about three months before my book's release - when the publicist assigned to my book moved to another company - that I would need to spend most of my free time spreading the word about the book's upcoming release. I talked with several authors, who were gracious enough to share advice and tips on how best to promote the book, such as contacting as many book clubs as possible to ask them to review the book and choose it for a monthly reading selection.

Because I am Revell's first African-American author, this is not a market they are  very familiar with. Revell has great relationship with the mainstream bookstores we all know about -  Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks, etc. -  but I knew it was important to get Speak To My Heart into black bookstores as well. I took it upon myself to mail review copies and press kits to dozens of African-American bookstores around the country, asking them to stock the book and schedule me for signings in the future.

My agent advised me to get a website soon after I signed the contract with Revell, and it has been a wonderful tool. It gives reporters immediate access to information about me, as well as bookstore owners and book club members who are trying to decide which books to support. I've sent out postcards and email blasts and have arranged signings at churches to promote and sell books.

WP: How has the community of Richmond reached out to you and to your book? Was it easier or more difficult to use the setting where you live? How have your friends at the Times-Dispatch reacted to having a new novelist in their midst?

SHA: I've been a reporter in Richmond for 11 years and have written a weekly inspirational column for the newspaper for five years, which has given me great visibility in the community. Because many of the themes I write about in the column - faith, perseverance, family and relationships - are similar to the themes in my novel, Richmonders have been very supportive of the book. They love the fact that it is set in Richmond because they can readily picture some of the locales as they are reading. It makes it easier for me because I know this area so well and the history attached to the various places I mention. As far as my fellow writers at the newspaper, several of my colleagues have also written books, and there are many other aspiring novelists on staff, so in a sense, my new venture gives them hope that they can accomplish their goals too.

WP: Tell us quickly about SPEAK TO MY HEART and the journey of Serena Jasper.

SHA: Serena Jasper, the main character, has always been a person of faith and has always been very close to her mother. In the first chapter of the book she finds out a devastating secret that leads her to wash her hands of both. She decides that she doesn't have time for God or those hypocritical people (including her mother) who profess to serve Him. The story is about her journey back to God, self-acceptance, forgiveness and the realization that you have to love others despite their imperfections.

WP:I know that you wrote this book while your husband attended divinity school courses. We at WP wish you both many blessings and success. Now that you're working on your second book, have your writing strategies and schedule changed at all?

SHA:: I have to say, oh, do things change! My husband attended a weekend master's of divinity program for three years that required him to take classes on Friday nights and all day on Saturdays. I would typically write on those days, while  my two young children (now ages 6 and 3) were in bed. I also would rise early about three times a week and write from 4 to 6 a.m.

Now, between continuing to promote Speak To My Heart, write the second book, work at the newspaper, and of course, care for my family, I write whenever I can! I have a March 1 deadline for the second book, so I've found myself rising early some mornings, but also writing late into the evenings, after everyone has settled down for the night. I carry a notebook with me to jot down phrases or other ideas that come to me throughout the day.

WP: Stacy thanks so much for sharing with us today. I hope that all our readers will visit you at http://www.stacyhawkinsadams.com to read your excerpt before picking up a copy of SPEAK TO MY HEART at their local or online bookseller. Thanks again for your time.

SHA:Thank you!  I hope readers who visit the website will enjoy the first chapter and be blessed by the book.  Peace and blessings!

A couple of good reads

I could write book reviews all night, so I'll limit it to two.

1) When reading Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers, I'd find myself staring off into the distance hearing the longings of my soul whisper past me in sighs and groans. In this story based on the Book of Hosea, Michael Hosea follows God's promptings to marry Angel, a prostitute in Pair-a-dice, a small California Gold Rush Era mining town. Angel, tortured by a shameful secret, is unable to comprehend the depth of Michael's love, much less the unconditional love of the God he worships. Knowing she is unworthy, Angel runs from Michael's farm back to her old life, time and time again, pushing away Michael and his God. To sum it up, this tale captures the essence of God's love for us: while we were sinners, Christ died for us. Unforgettable! This novel created a hunger in me for a steady diet of meaty Word.

2) Empire Falls, by Richard Russo, captures the essence of small town mentality. I'm so small-towned, it ain't even funny, so I felt like I knew the characters in this tale. Miles manages the café owned by rich Francine, while trying to cope with his failed marriage, raising his teenage daughter, his reoccurring dream of moving to Martha's Vineyard, and coming to terms with the events preceding his mother's death. Empire Falls is a place where secrets are hoarded like gold coins and are equally as valuable. While not a Christian novel, per se, it contains prevailing themes of confession and good vs. evil. I learned even the most ordinary character can become extraordinary when confronted with extraordinary situations.

I also read The Church Ladies, and echo Maryilynn's comments.

Looking forward to building my reading list here!

Angie Poole

www.AngiePoole.blogspot.com

First up...

Well, since I started all this, I guess I'll go first since everyone is being shy. :) LOL I read a lot of memorable books this year but a few in particular come to mind: 1) The Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahaney, a small book given to me by a friend, but boy did it pack a punch. It brought home for me in a new way the power of the cross;

2) The Good Earth by Pearl Buck, so high school book list I know, but I couldn't remember whether I'd read and once I started I couldn't put it down. It's a simple tale about the pain of wanting what one can't have and the tragedy of actually getting it. I sat stunned for a couple hours after finishing it. No twentieth century neat tie-ups here;

3)Shout Down the Moon by Lisa Tucker. After reading The Song Reader, I was almost scared to read this one. I didn't want to be let down. I wasn't. In yet another coming-of-age tale of a single mother-turned-jazz singer, I remembered the pain of my young womanhood and the dire need to scream sometimes, to save your life, your heart, your mind. Like the woman with the issue of blood, forcing her last breath into her lungs to bow down and tuch the thready seams of a man on a way to be someone's miracle, Patty Taylor finds her voice in a triumphant tale of second chances. The characterization here as in the debut novel pulled me totally in.

I hesitated on these last two because I've read them both within the last month, but I have no doubt that I'll never forget either of them.

4) Songbird by Lisa Samson. It's hard for me to describe how this book affected me without sounding weirder than I am. Suffice it to say that Charmaine Hopewell is someone I admire, a woman I empathize with and still think about like an old friend. Her abandonment issues, fractured relationships and hope in spite of it all were both refreshing and relatable. More than once I had to put the book down and pray, think or just go outside. Not that there were big preachy moments or anything, just small, quiet things. True things. I liked that. The Christy committee did themselves proud picking this one.

5) Bailey's Cafe by Glorida Naylor. Umph. That's about all I can say. This is far from what people would consider a Christian novel, there is cursing, violence and sorts of goings on. Yet there's more scripture in it than a few Christian novels I read lately and more truth too. Bailey's Cafe isn't defined by just one character, but rather it's world, a way station on the edge of any city anywhere, the place before there's no more places. Each day only one thing is offered, chicken one day, corn beef hash the next. There are no menus. Each customer decides whether to stay or go. Bailey is careful not to cook too carefully or people might actually think they're coming for food. They're not. These folks, churchy Miss Cassie who comes to doom everyone to hell, Sugar Man the short pimp, Sadie the twenty-five cent whore who carries herself with such class the glass mugs turn to china in her hands . . . These are the folks of Bailey's Cafe. And that's just the beginning of it. Across the street there is a Jewish pawn shop that never opens except to tell people to go elsewhere and a blossoming home for women called Eve's, which one can only find if you know what to ask. "No woman finds this place until she's ready for it," Eve says. And she's right. God didn't let me read this book until I was ready. And thankfully, I will never recover. Use your discretion on this one. It ain't for the faint of heart.

There was actually another, but I can't mention it because it's not published yet. There were countless other page turners in 2004, but these were the ones that really scratched the insides of my mind. Now who's next? LOL

Mary

Welcome!

I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! (Deuteronomy 32:3, NIV)

Hello world!

Welcome to the new blogging home of Word Praize, a group of writers who praises with phrases and worships with words. This week, some of our members will be discussing the book(s) they read this year that contained characters/plots/ideas that still burn in their minds and how these books impacted both their writing and their thinking.

Stick around. It's sure to get interesting. And please comment (kindly of course) especially if you've read the same title.

Peace,

Marilynn Griffith