Monday Mashup: 8/20/12

MASH-UP

A creative combination

or mixing of content

from different sources.

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This morning I’m meeting with my publisher, the University of Arkansas Press, to catch up on goings-on and talk about the status of The Red Kimono. I have to admit, this being my debut novel, there is still quite a thrill just to say “my publisher.” 🙂

In the mean time, here’s the mashup for the week.

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WRITING TIP #1:

In the New York Times article, “Act Like a Writer,” actor/writer, Molly Ringwald discusses the similarities between acting and writing. I was particularly interested in how she developed her character from “The Breakfast Club,” Claire:

“What I do recall was imagining my character Claire’s unhappy home life. There were hints to it in the script that John Hughes had written — “It’s like any minute … divorce” — but no explanation was given as to why the parents were divorcing. I envisaged the fights (an overly “social” drinking mother, an emotionally crippled and withdrawn father) that Claire endured along with her older brother (I gave her an older brother whose existence never made it into the film).”

Her comment reminded me of how I interview my characters. It’s surprising what you can learn by having a “conversation” with them. (See my blog post, “Happy Hour with Nobu.”)

How do you get to know your characters better?

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/18/act-like-a-writer/

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WRITING TIP #2:

Ever since first learning about NaNoWriMo approximately five years ago, I’ve wanted to give it a try. This is the first year I haven’t been focused on writing or editing The Red Kimono, so I’m seriously considering it.  On the blog, “Publish Your Own Ebooks,” Gary McLaren gives us “11 Ways to Prepare for NaNoWriMo.” What I like about the program is that the habit of writing that will be reinforced, even if I don’t manage to finish a book.

No doubt, it will be a challenge, as I’ll also be continuing my “half-marathon training regimen” for the Dallas Marathon on December 9.

Can she do it? Stay tuned!

Will you be NaNoWriMo-ing? If so, let’s be buddies!

http://www.publishyourownebooks.com/11-ways-to-prepare-for-nanowrimo/

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SOCIAL MEDIA TIP:

On her blog, “The Creative Penn,” Joanna Penn provides an excellent and entertaining list of social media marketing tips in her article, “How To Sell Books With Social Media.” According to Ms. Penn:

“The first job of an author is to write great books, but these days, the second job is to market them, especially as a new author with no backlist.”

Her social network diagram, as well as her list, reinforces that social media marketing is about establishing relationships, not about “BUY MY BOOK! BUY MY BOOK!.”

http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2012/08/20/sell-books-with-social/comment-page-1/

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“To believe in your choice

you don’t need to prove that

other people’s choices are wrong.”

                                                ~ Paulo Coelho 

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Thank you!