#WriterWednesday: 5 Tips to Get Your Book Done Quick

There’s this story burning inside of you. It’s a blistering kind of heat that you just can’t escape. However, you still haven’t completed your book. You’re somewhere between start and stuck. It’s time to move forward and get this book done quickly.

Use the 5 Tips I’m about to share with you so that you can go from start to finish. Because it’s time.

1. Sit your behind down and write. Stop thinking about writing. Stop talking about writing.Stop romanticizing writing, sit yourself in a chair and get to typing or writing.

2. Establish a concrete timeline for the publication of your book. The first thing I ask any of Publishing Pow-Wow clients is, “When would you like to see your book in the hands of the reader?” Defining this helps set all other goals. This timeline will become the basis and foundation for you to get things done quickly. When do you want to see your book on shelves–six months from now two months from now two years from now? This will inform your word count goal and the development of your marketing plan (yes, you have to market the book). Some say you have to write everyday and there are others who say it’s okay to take break between the words. This timeline will tell you whether or not you can afford to take a break.

3. Outline your book. I’m sure you’ve heard of the great debate by now–to plot or to pants. I am mostly a pantser. However, when you reach a point in your manuscript where you just can’t write, it’s time to put your pants on and plot it out. Here’s a lose plot formula you can follow:

Plot driven: Protagonist–goal+motivation+obstacle+pursuit+obstacle+motivation revisited+earth shattering obstacle/revelation+decision to fight or take flight+aftermath=the end

Character Driven: inciting incident +goal+flaw+confrontation or obstacle+character ignores flaw and keeps on going+confrontation or obstacle character admits flaw but doesn’t changes=death or change (the flaw begins to have a tremendous impact on character) it’s time for change or go down with sinking ship.

Resources for outlining your novel book:

–8 Ways to Outline a Novel

-11 Easy Steps to Outline Your Novel (this was way too much for me to absorb)

–Outline Your Novel in 30 Minutes (I really like this one)

–9 Questions for 25 Chapters (I’m going to try this one–I’m behind on several deadlines)

4. Use your technology to get it done. I get it you’re all over the place. You have kids. You have a full-time job or demanding career, so there’s very little time for playing with words, which is why you need to steal time and allow technology to work for you. If you don’t have time to sit down and write yet you see whole scenes in your head dictate it.

–Dragon Dictation

If you’re on the go a lot like me. Use the notes function, pages, or Evernote to type your story. I typed more than half of my second novel, Seasoned with Grace on my phone and I typed the draft of this blog post on my phone.

5. Deal with all of your contaminating thoughts.

When a river is polluted or contaminated nothing can grow there or live their. New life can’t be created (and all you science buff, who are thinking about mutations and all that jazz, don’t come for me save it for your book and let me just use this analogy). Your mind is the river and your book is the life form that is dying because of how polluted your thoughts are. This step is the most important, but had I started with this tip you wouldn’t believe me, because it’s not one of the things we really discuss when we discuss writing. Get out of your head and your feelings. Don’t let the fear of rejection block you or stop you. Rejection is going to come, “rejection is apart of the process”. Do not allow your credentials or lack thereof stop you either. For all the writing classes I’ve taken I have never taken a fiction writing class. That didn’t stop me from writing a novel and it better not stop you.

Get busy and if you need more help getting out of your head checkout the replay of the Working Writers Series Day 1.

If you’re interested in joining me for full on Working Writers’ Workshops please let me know in the comments.

 

Do you have any tips to help us get our books finished in a jiffy?

Drop them in the comments and fuel someone else’s greatness. 

#WriterWednesday All Eyes on Me: Virtual Book Tour

Let’s break it down a bit for those who don’t know about Virtual Book Tours. A virtual book tour is when an author visits blogs, radio shows, writes guest post, etc. to share their latest work with readers during a specific period of time. The length is up to you–one week, two weeks, a month.

This your can take place before the release of your book, when the book is released, or after the release of your book. 

Options

You have two options–hire someone to organize your tour for you or organize it yourself. Every virtual book tour I’ve been on I organized myself because at the time I didn’t have the budget. 

DYI Tips
Organize, organize, organize. If you’re not well connected in the publishing world or know a bunch of bloggers and radio show host then you’re going to have get organized, well in advance. Most bloggers schedule posts in advance and they are not going to break their timeline for you.You need to start arranging the tour six months in advance. If you don’t know many bloggers or want to step outside of your comfort zone visit Book Blogger Directory to find bloggers in your genre.

Also, be prepared to be rejected. Some bloggers will not want you, your content, or book. If you’re not going to be spending money on this tour you better be prepared to spend time putting this tour together.

• Beware of sites in which you have to pay to be featured on their website. Yes, this a promo tour and sometimes you have to pay for promotion, but paying to be featured on a blog is a little sketchy unless that blogger has a huge audience with some guaranteed results.
• Some radio shows charge for guests. Don’t be afraid to ask for stats and demographics. If they can’t prove they have a diverse listening audience that includes you ideal reader. Keep your coins and move on to the next one. 
• Create graphics for free using Canva, Pic Monkey, Be Funky, or Ribbet
• Select several different excerpts so that your fans, followers, and friends can have a rich experience while following the tour. 
• Try to do guest post with content connected to the book and of interest to the blog audience. Those posts usually generate lots of hits. 

Know your purpose. A blog tour is to create awareness and announce your presence. Don’t go crazy if after you’ve organized this phenomenal tour the only person who buys a copy of your book is your grandmother in Toledo. People cannot purchase something that they don’t know about. A Virtual Book Tour is your introduction to them. 

Have you organized your own virtual book tour before? Share your experiences in the comments. If you haven’t tried one yet make sure you come back and let me know how it goes.

#WriterWednesday March Edition of the Boost Your Brand Challenge

If you’re anything like I was when I started writing, you were ready to write, ready to see sales, connect with readers, and see some of the action that everyone was saying social media could take me to the next level. 

Only that didn’t happen right away. 
It didn’t happen until I started making an organized concerted effort to Boost My Brand. Now I’m sharing the tools that I used to Boost My Brand. 
Are you tired of having a headache? 
Low engagement and low sales making you doubt your skills or the reason you even started writing?

All the marketing gurus telling you stuff, but not telling you how to implement? 

That means it’s time for you get creative and Boost Your Brand. 
Take control of your branding and marketing efforts while having fun is truly possible. You don’t have to do what I do the way I do it, but you can learn the tips and tricks that have helped me create a thriving author brand. 
“This challenge was so power packed..Nigeria Lockley truly delivered value…no fluff and made me discover ways to boost my author and inspirational brands that I didn’t know before.” Abigaelle Coly, February Boost Your Brand Participant
Doors are now open for the March 17 Ways to Boost Your Brand Challenge. Doors close on the 16th and we start promptly on the 17th. Get in where you fit in and prepare to #GetyourInheritance
Small action leads to big success. Building your author brand, marketing, and promoting it won’t be easy especially when you either do a smattering of things here and there or take huge sweeping actions and then stop. 
I know you just want to write the books; that’s all any of us want to do. However, there’s this moment where writing the books  isn’t enough and you actually want to sell the books. 

Before sales can kickoff you have to tackle brand recognition. If that’s been your struggle then I have something for you. 

The 17 Ways to Boost Your Author Brand in 2017 Challenge. 

Take this 17 Day challenge: 

• Boost your brand’s visibility. 
• Increase your brand’s promotional efforts effortlessly.
• Increase engagement.
• Increase your brand’s influence and income.

On 3/17 the Challenge kicks off, but you can register now.

That’s low investment of $34 will yield high returns. By Day 2 she had 3 months of content. 

3 Months of Content 😲😲😲

Blog content being written and published. Immediately!

I gave her a road map for her funnel.

Transform your mindset about promoting and marketing your brand. 
Branding and marketing doesn’t have to give you a headache. 
Searching for and connecting with your ideal audience shouldn’t feel like attending a series of several bad blind dates. 
Stop feeling under dressed for the occasion.

Jump in and take the challenge. Click here to take the 17 Ways to Boost Your Brand in 2017 Challenge
When you sign up for the Brand Challenge you will gain access to my secret group Make Your Mark. 
I hope to see you on the 17th. 

#WriterWednesday Boost Your Brand Challenge

Small action leads to big success. Building your author brand, marketing, and promoting it won’t be easy especially when you either do a smattering of things here and there or take huge sweeping actions and then stop. 

I know you just want to write the books; that’s all any of us want to do. However, there’s this moment where writing the books  isn’t enough and you actually want to sell the books. 

Before sales can kickoff you have to tackle brand recognition. If that’s been your struggle then I have something for you. 

The 17 Ways to Boost Your Author Brand in 2017 Challenge. 

Take this 17 Day challenge: 

• Boost your brand’s visibility. 
• Increase your brand’s promotional efforts effortlessly.
• Increase engagement.
• Increase your brand’s influence and income.

On 2/17 the Boost Your Challenge kicks off, but you can register now using code: vday to take $3 off and take the challenge for $14. 

That’s right $14. A low investment that will yield high returns. Transform your mindset about promoting and marketing your brand. 
Branding and marketing doesn’t have to give you a headache. 
Searching for and connecting with your ideal audience shouldn’t feel like attending a series of several bad blind dates. 
Stop feeling under dressed for the occasion.

Jump in and take the challenge. Click here to take the 17 Ways to Boost Your Brand in 2017 Challenge
When you sign up for the Brand Challenge you will gain access to my secret group Make Your Mark. 
I hope to see you on the 17th. 

#WriterWednesday How to Create in Chaos

When life seems to be throwing obstacles faster than a batting practice machine do you drop you pen or have learned how to create in chaos? If you’re an author who just stops and plunges themselves into the throes of life rather than write this Wednesday it’s all about you. 

Creating in Chaos

1. Commit to yourself. In order to create in chaos you have to make a commitment to yourself. When you’re life is falling apart brick by brick you still summon the strength to show up at your day job. Why not commit to showing up for you? Your writing is a necessity. 

2. Consider the consequences. What is going to happen if you don’t create? If you hate  your 9 to 5 shutting down is only going to keep you there longer. If you don’t create, right now what would happen? What would that mean for you, your bottom line, and your career? 
3. Take the parameters off. Just sit down and write something. Often we stop working because we’re afraid of the quality of the writing during those chaotic moments in our lives when in all actuality this might be the moment that our new and truly artistic self could be born. Forget about judging the work just create, so that you keep yourself fresh and you don’t have to work so hard trying to restart when this moment is over. 
Are you an author that’s able to create in chaos? Share your thoughts and experiences with us. 

#WriterWednesday I’m Into Distribution: Do You Need to be in a Bookstore to Sell Your Books

Why did you become an author? To sell books or see your books in a bookstore? We all want distribution, nationwide distribution, but does being in a store actually sell your books? 

With my latest release, Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion, I attempted to answer my own question. I didn’t do what I would typically do, put it on sale through Ingram for distribution purposes, instead I put it on sale on Gumroad and directed all traffic there. 

Initially, there were only a few pre-orders, but since it’s release at the end of October I’ve sold almost 100 books and shipped them across the country and internationally. Now maybe to you 100 books isn’t a lot, but since according to Bookscan most books don’t sell more that 250 copies within the first year of its release I’m good. 

So, do you need major distribution? According to one my students if your book isn’t in stores then you’re not doing good. You may be of a similar mindset, but that’s the wrong mindset. If a bookstore doesn’t have my book when a customer asks for it they lost a sale. While I’ve built in exclusivity for my book and I am able to keep a majority of the money from the sale. 

A bookstore doesn’t sell your book, you sell the book, your marketing efforts sell the book, readers who recommend your book sells your book. With the whole world at your fingers, literally it’s time for you to be like me–I’m into distribution. 

Is this what your dream really is?

Why sell your book to a bookstore for a deep discount with no guarantee that the book will ever leave its shelf? If you can partner with an independent bookstore that’s going to help you move the books great, but if your book is just going to become another book on the shelf–I wouldn’t recommend it.

I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to the traditional model. My ebook will still be available on Amazon, but I’m enjoying the liberty (and my dinero). 

You may be wondering what I’ve been doing to move Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion. Well, I’ll tell you what I’ve been doing: 

1. Praying. I made sure this book was soaked in the Holy Spirit. 

2. Working my marketing plan. 

3. Praying. 

Now if you need help any of these I got you–Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion: Prayers for Creative Christians and Entrepreneurs will teach you how to pray over your passion instead of slaving over your passion and if you want to work with me on your marketing, writing, or both book a Publishing Pow-Wow NOW and #getyourInheritance 

So, what’s it going to be? Is it a must for you that your book is seated on a shelf in a bookstore or are you open to exploring your option? 

#WriterWednesday Coach, Consultant, Strategist–Same Difference, right?

With the flexibility of online learning and more and more authors opting to self-publish we also have the emergence of writing coaches, consultants, and strategists. If you’re not familiar with business then it all sounds the same and it seems like you don’t need any of it, but  it’s not the same difference. Most likely you will need or want to work with a coach, consultant, or strategist. 

Why? 

Writing may be an art, but publishing is a business and if you plan to sell your art you’re going to need help. 

So, let’s breakdown the difference. To make this very clear, I’m going to treat each one like a relationship. 

Coach–Long term relationship 

If you hire a writing coach or business coach you two are in it together for a long period time. 

Your coach will deal with the whole man. Besides helping you set up systems for your business they will make sure that you have a mindset for success, hold you accountable, and offer encouragement at the same time. 

This relationship should be fruitful. Your offspring will be–a plan of action and your coach will even assist you in implementing the plan. 

Consultant–The one night stand

First of all saints, don’t worry I haven’t lost my mind nor am I promoting fornication this is merely an illustration. 

The consultant has one job to do and they are in and out. You probably will not be getting a call back neither will you be receiving emotional support and mindset management beyond your initial evaluation and the consultation. 

A consultant has one job to do. 

Consult. A writing consultant will review some or all of your work in progress, provide you with feedback and respond to your immediate concerns and after that they’re gone. 

In terms of your business, they will review the parts that are non-functioning or malfunctioning, for example your marketing or branding. Next they’ll teach you a new strategy to jumpstart that broken piece and provide you with a plan to enact the strategy or strategies laid out. They may or may not do a follow up call after implementation. It’s entirely up to the consultant, but they are not obligated to remain on board throughout the duration of the project or roll out of your marketing plan. 

I like to be supportive, so most often I operate as hybrid of a coach/consultant. 

Strategist–That guy/girl you have in the friend zone. 
A strategist has the ability and potential to be so much more, but you just want the good time and smooth sailing they can offer. 

You tell the strategist your problem and they hammer out a solution with exact steps for implementation. Clearly, this person understands the business and could do more, but that may be all they’re offering or that may be the only service you want or need from them. 

So, which one is right for you? 

1. Do you know any thing about business? 

Yes, then you may only need a consultantation to become an indie powerhouse. 

No, then invest in a coach who will tell you over the course of a few meetings things that you’re going to spend hours researching on Google. 

2. Are you intrinsically motivated? In other words are you a self-starter or do you need a push? 

For the self-starter a consultant or strategist is all you need because you’ve already got things up and running, but your systems aren’t working well. Most likely once you get some solid directions you can move forward. 

If you’re not a self-starter and tend to fall apart or don’t follow through on your own, you need a coach standing on the sidelines calling the plays to you. 

You need someone who will see this project through and that’s what a coach will do. 

Ultimately you know yourself and your commitment to the success of your book(s) and writing career. If you plan on succeeding make the investment in one or all (of course you can start with me). 

I want to hear from you. Was my dating analogy good? Have you ever worked with a coach, consultant, or strategist? What was your experience like? 

#WriterWednesday 3 Ways to Set YourSelf Apart From the Pack

To be a successful published author you don’t have to do what everyone is doing. Of course there are experts out there that say you must do it exactly this way in order to replicate my success. The question is as an author did you go into publishing to be successful like them or a successful version of yourself? 

Embrace what makes you different as an author. 

Own it. 

Do it intentionally. 

It might make a few people upset, but if there was only one way to do right, if there was only one way to tell a story and make it successful we probably wouldn’t have the Gospel according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each author owns there style–Matthew is an author of precision, Mark is the king of brevity, Luke though he is a trained physician is an expert in writing informally, he writes like he’s just telling a story to his homeboy, John is poetic with his parallelisms. 

There are many ways to own your space within your genre: 

1. Your book covers. Three authors I can think of you use their book covers to stand out from the rest of the authors in your genre are: 

Adrienne Thompson, a romance author whose book covers are typically artistic, handdrawn reflections of the story or characters. 

Click for more info on this author

E.N. Joy, writes Christian Fiction and her book covers are as distinct and dramatic as the stories she crafts. 

Click for more info about this author

Unoma Nwankwor writes Christian Romance. Her covers always depict a unadapted hero and a beautiful heroine that could easily be you or me. 

Click for more info about this author

2. Stand out with style. Like the writers of the gospel make some intentional stylistical choices that set you apart from the pact. You can write heavily episodic pieces, great conversational pieces, be the sultan of sultry, or the queen of sass. Do something that will help the readers recognize your voice. What’s your writing super power?

Can you twist a plot like Brian W. Smith? 

I deliver grit, realism of the city streets, and our urban architecture, which sets me apart from a lot of other Christian Fiction authors whose books are primarily set in southern cities or don’t give their setting a large role in the story. 

3. Don’t just be one dimensional. Create interactive social media profile across platforms incorporating some of your other strengths. If you’re very visual use Pinterest to build worlds connected to your novels or poetry. Use YouTube to vlog–you can review, rant, or express your ideas verbally, go LIVE and give your people a chance to interact with you and your content in real time.  Or take your readers on shopping trips with you via Instagram or Snapchat stories like I do (don’t forget to follow me on IG). If you need help using Instagram to promote your book and build your brand click HERE to download 5 Free Tips for promoting your book and building your brand using Instagram. 

So, what is it that makes you distinct from other authors within your genre. What can or what do you offer readers that sets you apart from the pack?

Dear America,

I posted this on my various social media accounts yesterday only to wake up and find out that another brother has been shot to death and this time in front of his family. I am a writer and not a fighter so, I chose to use the weapon I’ve been given to speak for my brothers and sisters. 

Share liberally and comment freely. Our outrage must be heard, seen, and felt. It must translate into change because this is just insane. 

Movement and Music: We Are at War with Ourselves

Last night the BET Awards aired live from the Microsoft Theater. As usual they held no punches when it came to star factor (although the the hosting and some of the scripting between awards was a little meh) all of the big names past and present were there from Bey to Future. There were several Prince tributes mingled in, but the highlight of the night was the stunningly beautiful speech delivered by Jesse Williams of Grey’s Anatomy. 

Everybody’s MCM. Photo courtesy of Instagram @ijessewilliams

His acceptance speech for the Humanitarian Award for his efforts and contribution to the Black Lives Matter Movement was more than a speech. 

It was a war cry. It was a lament.

It was a slap in face to the justice system of America and a blow to the gut to White corporate America for making money off of us. 

He even decimated the his colleagues in the entertainment field for the proliferation of the white captiolist ideology that continues to keep us shackled, “Now dedicating our lives to get money just to give it right back for someone’s brand on our body, when we spent centuries praying with brands on our bodies and now we pray to get paid for brands on our bodies.” 

The audience rose to their feet and gave him a standing ovation, but the party continued. 

That’s when I thought about the inherent connection between the music and the movement. We are not just at war with white America. We are at war with ourselves if we can celebrate trappin’ and Jesse Williams at the same time.  The conflict is within our own community. 

Don’t worry I’m not throwing stones. I was dabbing with Desiigner like I got broads in Atlanta and know credit scammers and I was All the Way Up with Remy Ma like I just got released from prison and own a Birkin. Seriously though, what will it take to sustain the evolution and Revolution that Williams spoke about?

 It’s going to take us.

 Musicians and artists who will use not only their platform to speak like they have sense, but actually pen music and write stories that match the resistance like the artists of the Civil Rights did. We need new versions of “Strange Fruit”and images of ourselves that we will not allow to be appropriated or fetishized even by our own people (Trap Soul, really?). 

If Black Lives Matter they must matter to us first. You are what eat and music is food for the soul. I hope that Williams’ speech combined with Beyoncé (I’m cringing while typing this I am not in the BeyHive and I want her to please tell someone about Fuerza Bruta she is not the inventor of dancing in water, but digress this about unity) and Kendrick Lamar’s Freedom performance will stir something inside of every black artist to reclaim the freedom that seems to be slipping away through their art.

Or maybe I’m asking for too much? What do you think the role of the artist black or white is in America? 

Click here to read the speech. Click here to view the speech.