An Author's Life Isn't Easy

When this blog was started, I spoke about the things that we discovered about self-publishing. All these months later, I'm still learning things that I wish we knew before we ever started writing.  Here are a few lessons from my new friends from the We Write Tribe.


Being inspired is a really good place to start your love of reading as seen in Jen D.'s blog regarding her discovery about "Banned Books".  Inspiration is also the best way to start writing your book. 


While writing your book, take careful consideration of the rules.  Many authors are aware of the adage about breaking the rules. If you feel incline to break them, then you should first review Lynnette L.'s explanation on how Breaking the Rules Can Cost You.


If you've gotten your story out to be reviewed by a critique partner or the editor, what can you do?  Well, while you're waiting to hear back, you might want to take this time to develop a marketing strategy.  Micheal R can give you some tips on developing a "Writer's Platform".  


As always, I hope the information that I've provided is helpful to you. I will continue to be on the look out for ideas to help my fellow indie authors. 


Until we meet again, have a great one!


Lynn Hallbrooks
Co-author and chief spokesperson for David McKoy
http://www.callsignwreckingcrew.com

Trials and Triberr-ulations

Last time I blogged, I told you about Triberr.  The tribe that I belong to is the We Write tribe. It is relatively new and quickly gaining new members.  I'm told this is a good thing.  You see, I'm still learning about Triberr and about my new tribe members.  Many of them are following us here now *waves to tribe members*!  I need to give a special shout out to Lisa Goodwin because she helped me figure out the problem with Smashwords. Because of this, I was able to get the word out to the deployed troops who are part of Operation eBook Drop. 


For those that don't already know, my co-author and I are both former military.  So naturally, we feel this is a worthy cause.  We hope that the troops really enjoy our book, Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning), enough to tell their friends about it.  


Speaking of friends, Mark W. blogged today about the Kindle library lending program.  Mark generally has some great blogs about marketing and devices for reading books. If this is something that interests you, I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you follow his blog. 


I truly hope that y'all have a great one!


Lynn Hallbrooks
Co-author and spokesperson for David McKoy
http://www.callsignwreckingcrew.com

New adventures in learning

I've recently been invited to join Triberr and it has been a blessing.  I've gotten to meet several new people.  We share common interests and goals.  The main thing we have in common is writing blogs.  Throughout the day we review each other's blogs.  We provide feedback.  If we like it enough, we put our seal of approval then send it out to the twitter universe. This part happens almost automatically. 


Today, I ran across a blog article that I thought would do the authors among us some good.  It can act as either a reminder or something to think about during our writing/editing. Thanks Lynnette Labelle for sharing this great advise about literal emotions and how to show them. 


I'm still learning about the process but I'm loving the help and feedback from the group thus far.  I'll keep y'all posted on how things are going. 


Until we meet again, have a great one!


Lynn Hallbrooks
Co-author: Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning)

Thanks for your patience

Welcome to my new followers and thanks for your patience to all my other followers.  I've been busy with many different projects lately.  Not only that, I've made several new friends on Goodreads.  Many of whom are new to the marketing side of self-publishing...Indie publishing...however you wish to phrase it.  So between myself and some other wonderful friends of mine, we have been trying to assist them on their journey.


One of the things, I like for people to learn is, what my friend Mark W. taught me back in June, a way of keeping up with various blogs.  So, I am re-posting his blog on how to do that.  I found it helpful and so have others.


http://www.thebloodturbine.com/2011/06/get-more-out-of-following-blogs-on.html


Mark W. also has a great many other suggestions to help with getting your book out there and available so I suggest you follow his instructions above and place his blog among your ones to follow.


Another great person to follow is Tim Greaton.  He recently started a blog forum to highlight author's bodies of works.  It is a tough job and he does it well.  He is an awesome author in his own rights. 


I also have invited Indie authors (recent additions or seasoned ones) to post their books on Independent Authors and Writers website. Unfortunately it has been a bit slow in get things turned around. This will, hopefully, be resolved as soon as admin's time off for personal reasons is over.  Meantime, I'm doing the best I can trying to help around there.  So your continued patience is asked in that regard as well. 


I'm learning more and more about twitter and I'm slowly building up a following on there. This, I hope and pray will build up an interest in our book, Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning), while I put the final touches on the revisions for the print book.  The revisions have gone through for Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  We are pending a response back from Smashwords...so now do you understand why I've been such a busy bee lately?  I thought you might.


Y'all have a great one!


Lynn Hallbrooks
http://www.callsignwreckingcrew.com