#AmWriting and Kitten Mittons

While I am busy writing, not blogging, I thought I'd direct you to a clip for your viewing pleasure. (Warning--it may not be suitable for children.) Sometimes It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia goes beyond my comfort zone, but this Kitten Mitton clip always makes me laugh (just click on the 'video clip' and the video pops up below, once you are at the page).

I'm sure that shortly, I'll be back to my regular blogging programming. :)

In the meantime, why don't you let me know what you're blogging about, and link to it in the comments? Do you watch It's Always Sunny? What's your TV guilty pleasure?

As far as #ROW80 goals, I've had two weeks which were hijacked by school vacation, and then a sick child. While no writing was accomplished, I did have many adventures. I'm sure I'll talk about them on the blog when I'm back to writing for your entertainment!

But this week, I'm off to a great start, hitting my two hours of writing a day, and exercising as well. So, hopefully the momentum will continue!

How do you get that momentum rolling? How has your writing life been?

YOU Are Your Platform, Or, How Your Books Hitchhike On Your Own Back

At the last couple of writing conferences I've attended, I've gotten some good ideas about marketing. One of the common tips these days from marketing professionals is that if you write fiction, then YOU are the platform.

I sat at the conferences, and kind of got it. A marketing professional stood up and talked about how her client, an illustrator, had been a puppeteer previously in his career. How she used this fact about him to market him, and then his books. That I could understand. 

But what about me? I am no puppeteer. 

How would I use ME as a platform?

Recently, I was talking with a good friend about books she was purchasing for a project. She told me how she bought two books on amazon, solely because the authors had uploaded clips of themselves talking about what inspired them to write their books.

My friend BOUGHT two HARDCOPY books, because after seeing and hearing the authors talk about their passions for their books, SHE COULDN'T RESIST. 

She would not have bought these books based on description alone. Although the books are described well.

That is making YOU the platform.

Now I get it. :)

I'm reading one of those two books now, and it is excellent. 

It's called THE RUNNING DREAM. A heart-achingly spot-on YA novel about loss and hope.

Check out this link at amazon, and watch the 'related media' video. 

I dare you to NOT want to read this book!

(And I recommend it; it is WONDERFUL.)

My hope is that all you authors out there, put together a video showcasing how lovely and wonderful you are. Let you books hitchhike* on your back! 

(*I saw an actual hitchhiker today. I haven't seen one in years. My only thought was, 'why does that fool WANT to get arrested?' In my younger days I used to consider picking people up. And wonder what made them hitchhike. I think I'm jaded. Or something.)

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Row80 Update: *waving to all my fellow rowers*: 

I am fired up to make more headway this week. Last week was a stellar week for wordcount. I want to keep up with that momentum. 

However, I need to take my weekends off--since I'm not finding time to write then anyway. (What with basketball, and kids' friends, and swimming meets, and church stuff.) So, I'm changing my goals to 1K or 2 hours a day, excluding weekends. 

I'm excited to get this novel to the next level!

Woo-hoo!

What goals do you have this week?

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#WantedPosterContest update:

Check out these awesome Wanted Posters:

Susan's Wanted, Always, the Baddies of Harry Potter!

AND

Laura's WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE! Rewards Offered.

Didn't they do an awesome job? Here's the link to the Contest Page: there are book PRIZES!

Wanted Posters Contest: More Prizes!!

It's winter, it's cold (for some of us) and so it's time for another event here at Edited. Time to warm ourselves up with some creativity.

Like this:

WANTED:

A YA historical novel based on the true story of teenage sisters catapulted to fame when they claim they can speak to the dead.  Celebrity status ultimately drives a wedge between them, when one sister captures the romantic attention of a dashing Arctic explorer who tries to "rescue" her from the family hoax.

Didn't Dianne do an awesome job on her WE HEAR THE DEAD Poster and Want Ad?

Check out Elana's enticing POSSESSION Poster and Ad:

WANTED:

A sarcastic, headstrong fifteen-year-old who is sick and tired of being told what to do. Must include broken Rules, daring escapes, and the promise of kissing.


Don't those books sound delicious? (They are--I've read them.)

Consider creating a Wanted Poster and Ad for the contest--explanation at contest post HERE. Or, here, on this contest page.

It's so easy, it's super fun, and you can win POSSESSION or WE HEAR THE DEAD as prize! Plus others!

Plus you get to showcase something you are working on (it's easier than a query), or a book that you love.

It just took me a few minutes to create a poster at Glass Giant.

Join in by adding a link to your Wanted Poster, when you're ready. Don't worry, the contest spans a few weeks (ends February 17th) so that you have time to rev up your creative juices.

And oops, I forgot to include my ROW80 progress on my Wednesday post. I am going great guns on the wordcount this week--Tuesday I even churned out 5K words. I'm super excited, and can't wait to get this novel all spit and polished! How's your writing life?