Why am I an Insecure Writer this month?
Because I’m approaching the point where I'll be transitioning from a wannabe writer to a published writer who needs to worry about all the many facets of marketing.
For years, I’ve contemplated all the things I’d have to do if I ever got around to finishing a book. Things like setting up an author website, learning to format ebooks, newsletters, street teams, Amazon keywords, email lists, finding a cover designer, finding an editor, learning how to get reviews, Facebook ads, social media, book trailers, audiobooks... The list goes on and on. Almost makes me think writing the book was the easy part. (Please tell me it's not!)
But the time has come where I can no longer just fantasize about these duties. I’m three-quarters of the way through my urban fantasy, so the clock is ticking, especially since many of the aforementioned items should be started long before a book comes out.
It’s not like there aren’t a ton of resources out there to help guide me. The IWSG website has a section devoted to marketing tips. Our very own Chrys Fey has 100 marketing tips on her site. This month's IWSG post by Tara Tyler discusses how to get buzz for your book.
Now I just have to get around to implementing all this advice without going crazy.
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This month's question is: What personal traits have you written into your character(s)?
I usually give my main characters a sense of inferiority, often plucked from somewhere out of my own past. My characters worry that people will think they're too young or inexperienced, or that their skills aren't good enough for them to do what they need to do to win in the end. The kinds of things that used to bother me. Like the experts always say, write what you know!
Have a Happy Fourth of July!
ChemistKen