Genre and Author Brand

Back when I was new to the field, a seasoned children’s writer told me she didn’t try to determine what type of book her story would be. She simply wrote the story. Then she would figure out what it was. She had learned this lesson as she drafted an early reader that turned into a chapter book at the advice of her critique group. She later rewrote it as a picture book. When she sold the book, it was once again an early reader.

Sometimes you just have to tell the story. In the end, perhaps with help, you’ll figure out what it is.

When I tell people, especially writers, this story, I watch them panic. “If you write more than one type of book, how will your readers find you?”

How indeed? Given the fact that most of my readers are zoomers (Generation Z) or younger, I have confidence that they’ll Google me.

Oh, wait. I can still hear the die hards in the group calling out. “You can’t brand yourself if you write in more than one genre! It doesn’t work that way.”

But it does. Just this week, I listened to an episode of Literaticast. In this podcast, agent Jennifer Laughrin of Andrea Brown Literary Agency interviews children’s publishing professionals. Episode 39 featured author Kate Messner.  One of the things that Kate discussed is that she writes a wide variety of children’s books including nonfiction, picture books, and middle grade novels. What then is her brand? 

Jennifer explained that an author’s brand is whatever readers think of when they think of her. She followed by asking Kate what she thinks her brand is. Kate answered curiosity and courage. For her part, Jennifer identified Kate’s brand as being able to make difficult topics accessible to young readers and always writing with heart and courage. With two answers that agree so closely, I think it is safe to say this is her brand.

What does this mean for your writing career? If you normally write women’s fiction but your current novel is nudging into mystery territory, learn all about red herrings and write that mystery. If you are a nonfiction writer who has found an event that you can best write about in fiction, start outlining your story.

Write what calls to you and your brand will create itself. Maybe you write fiction and essays that shock and awe. Or you could be someone who pens mysteries and romances that titillate. Write what only you can write and your writing will create your brand.

For my part, I’ll continue to write about ancient cultures and evolution, headline topics and social justice. To do so, I’ll comb through history, eye witness accounts, court documents and the latest science to tell young readers the facts as we know them.

--SueBE

To find out more about Sue Bradford Edwards' writing, visit her blog, One Writer's Journey.  Sue is also the instructor for  Research: Prepping to Write Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults. The next session begins  March 2nd, 2020. 

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5 comments brand, genre, podcast, Sue Bradford Edwards

Writers are Like Snowflakes Or Figure Out What You Need

Writers are as different as snowflakes. I don't mean the new meaning of "snowflake" that's unfortunately appearing on social media and isn't very nice! I mean the way we used to think of snowflakes, even five years ago--each one is delicate and different and beautiful. The same with writers--we are each delicate and different and beautiful.

This is on my mind because I recently had a writing coach call with a writer, Kay, who was trying to decide if she should take my WOW! Novel Writing course ("A new session starts on Friday," Margo's dog Chester says, "Margo is embarrassed by shameless self-promotion, but I gotta eat!") in April, or if she should hire me at another time, or if she should not. As I talked to her, I had an a-ha moment. Yes, my a-ha moment was that writers are like snowflakes, but hold on--I'm gonna bring this all together with a point that will make this worthwhile.

I recently listened to Jen Hatmaker's podcast For the Love, which I have been going on and on about to anyone who will listen. I am planning a blog post somewhere soon--my blog or here--on how podcasts saved my life right now. (Those of you who listen to Jen--yes, we are on a first-name basis even though she has no idea who I am; she's just that nice--understand why I said "saving my life right now.") Anyway...I am catching up because I didn't realize how amazingly awesome she is until recently. I listened to the Gretchen Rubin interview, and she talked about her book: The Four Tendencies. I kind of think, after listening to this interview, that every writer should read this book or at the very least, take the free quiz on Gretchen's site to find out your tendency, and here's why...NOT EVERY PERSON IS MOTIVATED BY THE SAME THING!

No kidding, you say?

I'm not kidding. Some people are motivated by external rewards. Some people got it all within them and can figure it out without any help. Some people need accountability, and some don't. Some people are rebels--that is a tendency--and those people can't figure out what they need except they don't need rules, that's for sure. (You should probably buy Gretchen's book because I am going on memory here, and I've been binging Jen Hatmaker podcast episodes, like people binge Netflix...)

So while talking to Kay (remember the writer from above), I asked her a series of questions about how much of her novel was finished and what she needed to produce the work she hoped to produce. Did she need a deadline? (My class provides that because a section is due every week.) Does she need feedback? (Also given by me through the class) Or does she just need accountability? An author friend or really any friend could provide that--a friend who would check in with her to see if she wrote the amount of time or the amount of words she said she was going to write. But first, Kay has to figure out how her writing process and motivation works. And that's what I'm saying to you today.

You can read article after article about how to be more productive and how to finish a novel. But if you don't know if you need deadlines, short time increments, weekends, accountability partners, or what--then you won't know how to motivate yourself, and you may spend time and money on systems that don't work for you to finish whatever writing you want to finish.

Take some time--use a journal, take Gretchen's quiz, think about how you completed things in the past--and then pick the best method that works for you, so you can accomplish your goals. Of course, my dog Chester hopes you want a deadline and some positive and constructive feedback in my class, but I want you to choose what honestly works for you!

Margo L. Dill is an author, editor, and writing coach/teacher, living in St. Louis, MO. Sign up for her Writing a Novel With a Writing Coach class here. 

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3 comments finished draft, Gretchen Rubin, Jen Hatmaker, novel writing, online classes, podcast, writing motivation

Podcasts

I’m not sure if you’ve missed it, but Nina LaCour, author of We Are Okay and Hold Still, has started a podcast.

I had the pleasure of meeting her two years ago when she visited my school to talk about her latest novel and writing in general. She was lovely and intelligent and warm. My students – especially those who took the time to read one of her books and participate in a small group meeting – loved talking to her. I geeked out in typical Beth fashion because – duh – she’s a famous author of young adult fiction, so I hung on her every word and convinced myself we’d be friends forever. While the friendship wish didn’t pan out, I did get a Twitter follow, so I feel like that’s a win.

But I digress. Her podcast is called Keeping a Notebook, and I’m already hooked. Each episode is short – no longer than 12 minutes - but she focuses on different aspects of writing. Her first podcast discusses how she came up with the title, and why keeping a notebook is important. Another episode discusses what to do when you feel stuck in your writing. Her voice is inviting, she includes music and sound effects, and I’ve found inspiration in each of her episodes.

I’ve listened to John Green’s podcast Anthropocene as well, and while it’s not writing focused, hearing his words reminds me that even reviews of items like the Canada Goose, Diet Dr. Pepper and Super Mario Kart can be poetic.

And that’s the truth. While a podcast involves listening and not reading, these authors are still writing the podcasts. You can hear the description in their stories, their careful word choice, their style. I’d never thought about a podcast as a written work before, but these authors make me look at it in a new light.

I ultimately have three take-aways as I reflect on podcasts for writers.

One is that writing comes in so many forms, and we shouldn’t neglect to move forward or try a different vehicle to express our voice.

Another is that a podcast is an excellent promotional tool. The more I listen to Nina LaCour speak, the more I’m drawn to reading her books. And it’s lovely to hear her calm, rich voice, which helps me imagine how she might read her own novels.

Lastly, we can learn a lot as writers by listening to podcasts about writing, especially if they’re hosted by talented, successful writers. She’s sparked some new ideas for me and has, in fact, inspired me to go back to keeping a notebook.

No matter how you use an author's podcast, I urge you to consider them, either as a learning tool, a promotional tool, or as a way of trying something new as a writer.

Bethany Masone Harar is an author, teacher, and blogger, who does her best to turn reluctant readers into voracious, book-reading nerds. Check out her blog here and her website here.

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4 comments author podcast, Bethany Masone Harar, John Green, Nina LaCour, podcast, We are Okay, writing, writing notebook

David W. Berner Launches His On Air Tour of "October Song"

...and giveaway!

October Song is a beautifully authentic memoir that reminds us there are no limits on dreams, creativity is boundless and nothing in life is finite when we let go of our self-imposed rules. 

--Michelle Burwell, Windy City Reviews

October Song: A Memoir of Music and the Journey of Time: In the vinyl era, David W. Berner played rock ‘n' roll in a neighborhood garage band. Decades later at the age of 57 he enters a national songwriting contest and to his surprise he is named a finalist and called to perform the song live at a storied venue for Americana music. Grabbing his old guitar and the love of his life, David hits the road, hoping to live out a musical fantasy he thought had been buried long ago. What happens next is unexpected, revealing, and both heartbreakingly and heartwarmingly authentic. October Song is a powerful examination of the passage of time, love, the power of music, and the power of dreams.

Paperback: 192 Pages
Genre: Memoir/Personal Growth
Publisher: Roundfire Books (April 28, 2017)
ASIN: B06XX33L2T
ISBN-10: 1785355562
ISBN-13: 978-1785355561

October Song is available in ebook and in print at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound.

Book Giveaway Contest:
To win a copy of October Song, please enter using the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post. The giveaway contest closes Sunday, July 16th at 11:59 PM EST. We will announce the winner the next day in the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!

About the Author:

David W. Berner—the award winning author of ACCIDENTAL LESSONS, ANY ROAD WILL TAKE YOU THERE, THERE'S A HAMSTER IN THE DASHBOARD, the novel NIGHT RADIO, and his newest memoir OCTOBER SONG—was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he began work as a broadcast journalist and writer. He moved to Chicago to work as a radio reporter and news anchor for CBS Radio and later pursue a career as a writer and educator. His book ACCIDENTAL LESSONS is about his year teaching in one of the Chicago area's most troubled school districts. The book won the Golden Dragonfly Grand Prize for Literature and has been called a "beautiful, elegantly written book" by award-winning author Thomas E. Kennedy, and "a terrific memoir" by Rick Kogan (Chicago Tribune and WGN Radio). ANY ROAD WILL TAKE YOU THERE—a 2013 Book of the Year from the Chicago Writers Association—is the author's story of a cross-country road trip with his sons and the revelations of fatherhood. The memoir has been called "heartwarming and heartbreaking" and "a five-star wonderful read." THERE'S A HAMSTER IN THE DASHBOARD, a collection of essays, was named one of the "Best Books of 2015" by Chicago Book Review.

David can be found online at:
website: www.davidberner.com
Twitter: @davidwberner
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.w.berner
Blog: www.constantstory.com

Praise for October Song:

October Song is about and for all who wonder if it's too late to follow a dream. Through his easy conversational tone, David W. Berner shares his heart and soul as if we were curled up together, sipping hot chocolate in front of a fireplace. Like a favorite song, that warm fuzzy feeling lingers on well after the story is done. (Viga Boland, author of No Tears for My Father)

With his gift of a no-holds-barred writing style―raw, honest, confessional―Berner succeeds, once again, as a master storyteller. Music can tell the story of our past. Lyrics evoke memories; melodies make the heart thump like it did on a first date. October Song brings the reader through a mix tape of life, as Berner tells his tale of new love while traveling through landscapes and time. Each chapter reads like a beloved song. (Geralyn Hesslau Magrady, author of Lines)

October Song strikes all the right chords; the high notes and the low notes of a life's journey―the losses, the lessons, the loves. Composed with tenderness and affection, Berner's heartfelt and ultimately life-affirming joy ride teaches us that you're never too old to roll down the window, crank it up and belt it out. (Randy Richardson, author of Cheeseland, Lost in the Ivy)

-----Interview by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto

WOW:  This interview was somewhat of a challenge since you and I have worked so extensively together. I feel like I already know so much about you, so let's dig a little deeper!

How does real life fit into a writer's life?

David: I don’t see them as separate things. A writing life is a ‘real’ life. It is central to much of my everyday existence. Do I write each day? Not always. But if two-three days go by without writing, I get antsy. Like working out or walking the dog, I try to make it part of my daily life. Even if it is not on a specific project, I write. I put down words. Sometimes they are not worthy words, but they are essential to get me to that next level. That next project, that next story, the trick sometimes is “training” those you love, those in your life, that writing – going off on your own to think and write – is not some vacation or getaway. It’s your work, your calling, your inner peace. It’s important for me to write to be the best person I can be. I truly believe that, so, I write. And it’s not an off-shoot of my real life, It is my life.

WOW: What's it like getting remarried late in life?

David: Magnificent! That’s the short answer to this question. And honestly, I don’t think of it as ‘late in life.’ It’s just…life. There is no age limit or time constraints to love. I think I address this in my memoir October Song by considering all the journeys one has to take to get them to their new place. Everything that comes before is a piece of the road map that takes you to your new place and maybe your new love. I do not close the doors on my past – my past relationships – I only see them as stepping stones to what is next, So, remarrying late in life is like putting all the pieces of a puzzle together and finally seeing what the big picture is supposed to look like.

WOW: How has travel influenced your writing?

David: I’m not a big traveler, not like some people I know, but I’ve certainly done my share – Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, a cross-country road trip, I recently took a trip to Cuba, a country I have been infinitely fascinated with. Travel, I believe opens your senses, your heart. Americans, many times, are far too insular, seeing the world through only the American view, Truth is, much of the world does not live by this view. Living within other cultures makes one a better observer and helps one understand our own existence more intensely. That can only help one’s writing, I’m working on a project now about the notion of home – what it means? Why it’s important? Why do we leave it and seek new ones? Some of my travels away from “home” have helped me see what home – in all of its manifestations – is really all about.


WOW: Tell us more about creative solitude?


David: This is such a wonderful thing! Creative people can find it in many different ways, but I think it is essential. First, let me explain what it isn’t. Creative solitude, for me, is not about locking yourself away, being a creative hermit, in order to be a creative person. Instead, it’s about settling your mind, finding that sweet spot that permits thoughts to come to you. It’s mindfulness and expressiveness at the same time. Recently, I created a new writing space – a writing shed in my backyard, It’s an 8x10 space with a desk, a reading chair, my favorite books, and creative work from my kids. This space helps create that “solitude” for me. I used to be a coffee shop writer and there were great things about that. Sometimes I still write in coffee shops, but this new space truly allows for that creative solitude. A place that is all my own, a sort of writing church. This is not to say that this is what all writers should do – build a shed in their yard – but it works for me.

WOW: What's next for you? (when it comes to writing and life)

David: I’m working on a manuscript, a series of connected essays, about the notion of home. It’s a memoir about my eternal search for home – the leaving, the returning, and the search for the perfect place under the stars. It begins with my parents, who grew up in the same neighborhood, on the same street, and raised their children just a few houses away from where they grew up. I was one of the first in my family to leave my hometown, to go to college, to move to another city hundreds of miles away. Why? What was I looking for? What are we all looking for? And why does home – in all its forms – have such intense pull?

Next in life? Well, my wedding is in September. It will be a simple backyard ceremony with our closest family and friends. And remember that shed I talked about, the writing shed? The ceremony is going to be held right next to it. So, the writing life and real life truly are coming together.


WOW: Well thank you ever so much for your time. It has been a pleasure getting to know more about you through not only your memoirs but also through your candid interviews. I've greatly enjoyed October Song for myself! We look forward to hearing more from you along this tour.

----------On Air Tour Dates

Saturday, July 8th (today) @ WOW! Women on Writing
Interview & Giveaway
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

Wednesday, July 12th @ 7:10am EST @ The Frank Truatt Morning Show
Join Frank Truatt at 7:10am EST as he interviews David W. Berner about Berner's latest memoir October Song. This is a broadcast you won't want to miss as these two radio professionals discuss this inspirational memoir and more!
http://www.wtbq.com/the-frank-truatt-morning-show/

Thursday, July 20th @ 10am EST @ Conversations with Cyrus Webb
Host Cyrus Webb welcomes author David W. Berner to #ConversationsLIVE to discuss his journey as a writer and what led to penning his latest memoir October Song.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive


Monday, July 24th @ 10:05 EST @ The Source 96.3FM and 1370AM
Don't miss David Berner as he is interviewed by Larry Whitler, the host of "AM Ocala Live!" the morning drive show on WOCA "The Source". Learn more about Berner and his latest book "October Song".
http://thesource1370.com/

Thursday, August 10th @ 1pm EST @ Frankiesence & More with Frankie Picasso
Frankie Picasso interviews David W. Berner about his highly praised memoir October Song. Don't miss an opportunity to learn more about Berner's tale of new love and the power of dreams!
https://www.toginet.com/shows/frankiesenseandmore

Thursday, August 17th @ 9am Pacific Time Donna Seebo - Delphi International
Donna Seebo is known for her Informative Talk and Personal Empowerment Programming at Delphi International. She will be interviewing David W. Berner (9-9:30am Pacific Time) about his latest memoir October Song.
http://delphiinternational.com/

*****BOOK GIVEAWAY*****

Enter to win a copy of October Song by David W. Berner! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. We will announce the winner in the Rafflecopter widget on Sunday, July 16th!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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4 comments blog tour, book tour, cyrus webb, david berner, david w berner, donna seebo, frank truatt, frankie picasso, interview, memoir, october song, on air tour, podcast, radio, radio interview