Day 51: Ken D. Foster - Scammer?

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Day 51: Ken D. Foster - Scammer?

Most writers who are serious about their craft are constantly looking for ways to improve their writing, market their books, sell more copies, or how to find a publisher. When I noticed this ad, I have to admit, my interest was peaked.

How alignment and momentum is the key to your success to become a best seller author How knowing about the 7 essential laws Laws, especially the Law of Sufficiency and Abundance is key How mastering your energy is the foundation to building and maintaining your success How to visualize and feel your way into best-seller status How what you desire, desires you!

I signed up for a series of online sessions. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend the first two sessions because of work. According to Ken Foster this was not a problem as the videos could be watched at any time.

Then yesterday I received an email from him that changed everything. The email read …

1. The most important thing to do before you write a single word!
2. How to write your book in 90 days or less
3. Should you self-publish or go with a traditional publisher?
4. 12 Stupid Mistakes made by Wannabe Authors

Right there and then I knew I was dealing with a phony. If there’s one thing that angers me it’s people telling other people they can write a book in 90 days or less. I emailed Ken Foster and shared my opinion with him.

One can write a short story or even a novella in 90 days or less, but a book … no. This is one of the reasons there is so much trash online. Anyone and everyone, even children, can write something, publish it and voila it’s available on Amazon and other sites. In the process, self-publishing has received a bad reputation.

As for Ken’s question to go with a traditional publisher or to self-publish, I told him that any writer worth his sold would prefer a mainstream publisher vs. self-publishing. After all, if a mainstream publisher accepts a manuscript, everything is taken care of by the publisher: editing, layout, cover design and marketing/selling the book. Not to mention that the author receives an advance and regular royalties.

Ken Foster responded that I had a lot to learn about the publishing industry. He stated that he had a friend who was accepted by a mainstream publisher and received a $300,000 advance.

I nearly burst out laughing. Having been in the publishing industry for years I know several best-selling authors and none of them have ever received a $300,000 advance. First time authors receive between $5,000 and $10,000 while the more established authors receive between $25,000 to $75,000 but none of them, absolutely none of them ever received more than a quarter of a million.

It would appear that Ken Foster doesn’t know much about the publishing industry either. He calls himself a best-selling author, but he’s nothing more than a self-published writer. It’s not because he’s written a few books, that he’s a best-selling author. By definition, a best-selling author is someone whose book was listed on the New York Times bestselling list. If not on that list, then anyone claiming to be a best-selling author is putting on airs and graces.

If any of you gets contacted by Ken Foster, be wary of him. He has a hidden agenda. 

Day 41: Book characters

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Day 41: Book characters

Aspiring actors are given the advice to avoid typecasting. Only being able to portray one type of character might lead to the audience quickly becoming bored with that actor. 

Aspiring authors would do well to follow the same advice. Writing about the same subject over and over again will make the story predictable. Some very talented authors can get away with it, weaving a completely different story while writing about their favorite subject.

Among others, Jilly Cooper can do this. Whether she writes about Rupert Campbell Black’s antics in 'Riders' or an emotionally abused grandma in 'Jump', somewhere along the line a horse is playing a part, but the stories are very different.

Author X (she shall remain nameless) is not such an author. Even though she is famous and has quite a few million in her bank account, all her books are more or less the same.

Author X’s books summarized:

The main character is filthy rich. He’s not just a millionaire, he’s a billionaire. While it can be nice to read about people with pots of money, it can also become rather annoying. Especially for those whose bank account lacks a couple of zeros.

Supporting characters work themselves into a stupor. Working 18 hours a day is part of the package in clawing their way to the top.

After work, they attend parties (only movers and shakers invited of course) where they drink copious amount of champagne and sniff a few lines of coke. I have no experience with coke-sniffing, but on the few occasions that I looked too deep into a glass, I had such a hangover the next day that I was in no condition to go to work. 

When the supporting characters come home from the party they have steamy sex for hours on end. This really makes me wonder. If they worked an 18-hour day and got wasted at a party, how do they manage to romp around until the wee hours of the morning? When do these people actually sleep?

Still on the subject of sexual escapades … the men are always ready for action and the women have multiple orgasms. I have a little trouble believing that too. I think it’s far more likely that a woman who’s been on her feet since the crack of dawn is far more likely to utter the words “Not tonight honey”.

While the men and women sleep their way around New York, Los Angeles, London, Sidney, and a few other cities, they don’t give a second thought to sexually transmitted diseases. They meet someone who can help them reach their goal and hup, they’re between the sheets. Whatever happened to women making it on their own? Isn’t it a little degrading that they still use sex as a means of advancement?

The men in author X’s stories invariably look like George Clooney. I can only sigh and shake my head at the comparison. I mean really, is there only one attractive man on earth? Personally, I don’t see what the big deal is. I’ve seen Clooney in his early years in the TV series ‘E.R.’ and in movies such as ‘Up in the Air’ and ‘The Descendants’ and I see nothing special. He’s a good actor, but as far as looks are concerned he’s not my cup of tea.

The women in author X’s stories are always chic and glamorous. They wear designer clothing (of course, if you worked 18 hours a day in a power job you could afford designer labels too), their hair is always smooth and sleek no matter what the weather conditions are, and short of mascara and a bit of lip gloss they wear no makeup. They are blessed with natural beauty.

Darn, I wish I was blessed with natural beauty. When there’s moisture in the air my hair turns frizzy no matter what I do. 

As for makeup, I need the full nine yards. If I was to just use a bit of mascara and lip gloss I’d look like death warmed up.

While some people will undoubtedly enjoy a story about millionaires and their entourage, that doesn’t mean that author X has to be the sole provider of those stories. Can’t she write about something else? Can’t she come up with anything else than billionaire men and slutty women?

Day 37: One dimensional vs. three dimensional

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Day 37: One dimensional vs. three dimensional

A few weeks ago, I had an idea for a story. A supernatural story. It’s a stretch for me, as I’ve never written anything like it before, but every now and then one must think outside the box.

For twenty chapters everything went fine, the story practically wrote itself. But then I hit a snag ...

A fellow writer said that someone had read her manuscript and found that her characters were too one dimensional. That she should make them three dimensional.

This got me thinking ... were my characters one dimensional? If they were, what could I do to make them three dimensional?

I posted this question in a writers group on Facebook but only got one satisfactory answer. Nick B said:

Imagine one-dimensional to be a shopping list.

Imagine three-dimensional to be a restaurant review.

Okay, I understood that I had to describe my characters in more detail. The question now was, how much is too much?

Take Barbara Taylor Bradford for instance. She is a well known and respected author of 35 novels. The first book I ever read of her was ‘A Woman of Substance’ which I loved. Since then I read numerous of her other books but eventually stopped reading her. 

Her stories were too detailed for my taste. Every outfit one of her characters wore was described in detail, as was the scenery and the meals. It was just too much for me. I didn’t need to know what kind of dress Laura wore, what she carried in her handbag, and what she had for dinner.

The opposite can be said of Lisa Jewell and her book ‘Trust Me’. All her main character wore was sweatpants and a t-shirt, day after day after day. All she ate was pizza, and over the course of the story, she drank liters and liters of wine. I wonder how this woman got anything done because she was either drunk or suffering from a hangover.

This makes me wonder how I should describe the characters in my latest story. Should I describe what they wear? What their home looks like? What they think, how they react? How much does the reader want to know?

I considered having the story proofread, but this will be of little or no help. Some people like a detailed description while others might think ... okay, just get on with it.

Another thing that confuses me is ... show, don’t tell. I’m not showing a story, I’m telling a story, so what’s wrong with that? If readers want a story shown, they can buy a picture book. When I buy a book, I’m interested in how the author tells the story.

Yeah yeah I know, as a writer I need to describe the places, the people and their feelings and emotions. But once again, how much is too much?

Day 164: Why is it so hard for self-published writers to accept advice?

Just about every writer is familiar with John Grisham’s story. He wrote ‘A Time to Kill’ in 1988, when he couldn’t find a literary agent or publisher he self-published his work and sold the books from the booth of her car. In due time he was discovered and contracted by a mainstream publisher and … the rest is history.

Ever since Grisham’s success everyone and his uncle has gotten it into their head to write a book too. But as Christopher Hitchens said “Everyone has a book in them, and that’s where it should stay.”

Over the years it has transpired that some people have an obvious talent for telling stories, while others should have taken Hitchens words to heart and never put pen to paper (or their fingers to a keyboard).

Not only do those people have no idea what writing is all about, but their spelling and grammar is so atrocious that their writing efforts become laughable.

I recently came across one such individual (lets call her Lesley) and while I tried to remain polite, she lashed out at me with vitriolic expressions. Other than her hurtful words she stated that unlike me she was not raised in the English language.

I had news for Lesley; my mother tongue isn’t English either. I was born and raised in Belgium and I didn’t learn English at school but from TV, watching Dallas, Dynasty and other shows. Around the same time, I started buying English newspapers and magazines, thus learning the spelling and grammar of this new language.

Later still, I joined a writing site, and met a lady who lived in Las Vegas. We started corresponding and she offered to edit my articles before sending them to the publisher. As it turned out, my English wasn’t as good as I thought it was. She pointed out spelling mistakes such as: there/their – advice/advise – affect/effect – bear/bare – stationery/stationary – isle/aisle, etc.

If I had been like Lesley I might never have learned the finer points of the English language. I didn’t take offence when she corrected me, on the contrary, I appreciate the help and made notes.

Some will say that it doesn’t matter how a story is written. If the publisher sees dollar signs he will give the manuscript to an editor who will work his magic on it. Just look at ’50 Shades of … rubbish’. A worse story was never written, but the author had contacts in the publishing industry and whoever took on the project knew that the book would sell because … sex sells.

Anyway, back to Lesley … I had a look at her profile on Facebook and is it turns out, Lesley isn’t even a writer. She joined several writing sites on Facebook without any credentials. She hasn’t written a book, she hasn’t even written a story. Judging by her profile her aim is to sell merchandise and to find a boyfriend.

All her profile consists of are selfies in various poses in various stages of undress. Not that Lesley is a beauty, she’s quite ordinary looking is not a little slutty.

Anyway, I tried to help her, but my help was not wanted. Which is strange because, open any mainstream published book and you will find a section where the author profusely thanks the editor for his/her help. If respected authors can accept help, why can’t self-published writers?

Day 120: How is your writing going?

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 120: How is your writing going?

Someone posted the question the other day “How is your writing going?” Some people said it was going great, that they wrote like the wind, others admitted that it wasn’t going well or not at all. I find myself in the latter category. Which is strange, because, up until now, I never really experienced writer’s block.

Take ‘Waiting for Silverbird’ for instance ...

I worked for a military company at the time, typing up a maintenance manual for a tank, when the sentence ‘The audience rose to their feet in a standing ovation’ drifted into my head. I didn’t pay much attention to it, but a few minutes later that same sentence came back to me, so I wrote it down. After that, another sentence came, and another one and by the end of the day I had the first chapter.

Unfortunately, about a year later my muse took a leave of absence and the manuscript was gathering dust. When someone asked me what Waiting for Silverbird was about I told her the storyline. She said “This is good. You have to finish this.” So, I did. I worked evenings and weekends and eventually brought the story to an end.

Two more novels and two children’s books followed. All written within a reasonable time frame. After two years of writing nothing (except articles and emails), I started a new story and this time my inspiration is like a faucet … that drips. I don’t know what the problem is but it’s just not working.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve seen too much bad writing and started doubting myself. Perhaps it’s because this time I’m writing a fantasy story, which is a first for me. Actually, it’s a ghost story (based on true events) mixed with fantasy.

So maybe that’s what the problem is. Some of the things in the story really happened, but for the sake of entertainment, I’m going to stretch the truth a little (or a lot).

It also doesn’t help that a number of things get in the way of writing the story. As a freelance writer, being part of a team, I have to write two 500-word articles per day. Since that work is paid and writing the manuscript isn’t, freelance work takes precedence.

When I do get to work on the manuscript, I sit there … staring at a blank page, my fingers resting on the keyboard, or a pen hovering over the paper.

So, to cut a long story short, how is my writing going … it’s going nowhere.

www.connymanero.weebly.com

Day 113: In the Spotlight: Margot Finke

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompt

Day 113: In the Spotlight: Margot Finke

How did your journey as a writer begin?

In middle school, when a teacher praised my writing style. Later, life got in the way of serious writing—husbands and kids can do that. Yet I always fed my imagination with the plays and stories I wrote in my spare time.

What is your favorite and least favorite aspect of writing?

I love all aspects of writing, especially when the ideas come thick and fast.  Book promotion however can be a real drag — it takes time from writing, dammit!

Do you recall the book that made you aspire to become a writer?

Alice in Wonderland. I devoured that book.

What authors do you admire and why?

The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold

The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
A Thousand Splendid Suns    “

The Sword of Demelza - Jeanne E. Rogers

Where is your favorite place to write?

When the kids went off to college, and I finally had the peace and time to write, we converted the family room into my writing den—a cosy space with sofa, chairs, a fireplace, windows onto the back gardens, and a humongous L shaped desk my husband set up for me. In winter, my tender outdoor plants luxuriate there under gro-luxe lighting. Mmmmm. . . indeed, a writing den where my inspiration can run riot!

Are you a pen and paper writer or a straight to the keyboard writer?

Keyboard all the way. Even I cannot read my own handwriting. I LOVE my computer!

As a reader, what catches your attention?

First it’s the voice of the writer—a first page that hooks my interest. Then the plot and the characters creep up on me, and I dive into the tale—an eager observer right in the middle of the angst and the action.

I also like to help others write tight and terrific MS.  Clients send me their MS so I can guide them into writing books their readers will love.  Very satisfying!!

When you write, what comes first, the plot or the characters?

This depends.  Sometimes one and sometimes the other. Ideally, both the plot and the main character are equally important.

What is your main goal when creating a story?

For me, books have always been a Magic Carpet Ride to fun, adventure, and a lifetime of learning. When an idea begs to be developed and written, I want it to take kids who read it on that same Magic Carpet Ride. My goal is to Hook Kids on Reading.

Does life ever imitate art or vice versa?

My “Down Under Calling,” the saga of a modern family divided by an ocean, features Grandma Rose, a feisty lady who is loveable as well as sneaky. The family stories she writes to her grandson in Oregon (that amaze him), come straight from the mouth of my dear departed Mom.  She was a wonderful storyteller, and every one of them is true. Mom would be so tickled to have them featured in a book of mine. Does this count?

The same happened with The Revenge of Thelma Hill--a ghost mystery set in Oregon.  As I wrote, the ghost’s character simply wrote itself. I wondered what was happening. Then I GOT IT!  I was channeling my mom again. And she was perfect for the scary, yet eventually friendly ghost who needed Frannie’s help to make her killer pay. So I thought, “I’ll go whole hog, and use Mom’s real name for the title. Thelma Hill was her maiden name. I also knew Mom would be thrilled to be a major character in a book I wrote –an ideal ghost.”

What inspired you to write Dreamtime Man? 

I grew up Down Under, and Dreamtime Man is a  rhyming picture book, inspired by the horrible things that happened to the Australian aboriginals after the white man colonized the country. Even though I have lived in the US for many years, my Aussie roots are deep. I was brought up to judge people by how they treated you, and not by the color of their skin, their religion, or their politics.

How do characters take shape and evolve in your mind?

Dreamtime Man is told in rhyme for older children and adults. It is based on history. I guess you could say that the main characters are the Spirits of Dreamtime and the Aboriginal Tribesmen. Both are inexplicably linked.  Both were battered and almost demolished by the invading hordes of white settlers, and later by terrible Government policies. Each side feared the other, and when fear rules violence reigns.

Is there an underlying message in your stories?

Absolutely. The  message is universal, yet today it is sadly not often realized:
*Earth is small, and we all need to get along together.
*Empathy and compassion are underused these days.
*Create tolerance and understanding instead of violence.
*Do not fear what is different. Different is often good.
*Let people prove their worth before you attack them.
*Use only what you need, and help your neighbors when they need it
*Don’t allow fear to create violence.

What pulled you to write your particular genre of writing?

It wasn’t a conscious choice.  I was a teacher’s aide, and I often told tales about Aussie animals to classes. It just happened, and I loved writing for children. Many of my books have Aussie Themes or about animals. They range from grade school picture books and stories, to mid-grade reading.

My latest books are:

**Daisy and Bartholomew Q   a MG – a fun fantasy adventure that promotes the use of powerful words and the Thesaurus.

** Oscar is Different a PB – looking or feeling different is not always a bad thing.

**Kobi Borrows a Pouch PB – a small koala discovers the Aussie bush can be a dangerous place.

Aside from writing, what are you passionate about?

My family—3 great grown kids, 4 wonderful grandkids and a husband who is a real treasure. Plus, the state of the US today, and how we should vote to fix it.

How has your background shaped you?

Growing up in Queensland, Australia, has imbued me with much of the Aussie independent spirit. I also love writing about its unique animals and way of life.

What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for?

“Here lies Margot Finke, off on her last Magic Carpet Ride to an uncharted land. Her wish is to hook kids on reading and have children of all ages read and reread all of her books.

If it were possible, what 3 things, other then your loved ones, would you take with you into the next life?

My computer, my thesaurus, and a copy of Alice in Wonderland

Describe yourself in 3 words?

Determined.  Organized. Imaginative.

What would your general day to day routine be?

Promote my books, write a little more, and work on critique client manuscripts. Read in my spare moments. Some garden time!  A possible Skype Classroom Visit.

Thank you so much Conny, for this opportunity to strut my stuff.

* Website:
http://www.margotfinke.com

** BOOK CATALOGUE:  Email for your copy:
 mfinke@frontier.com
For Discounts--Autographs + Cheaper Postage.
* ORDER DIRECT from Catalogue.

* Skype Classroom Visit Details:
http://virtualschoolvisits.blogspot.com/

* Amazon  +  Kindle : 
http://tinyurl.com/j26s6wu

My Pinterest Boards:  Help and Guidance Boards  for Teachers.
http://www.pinterest.com/margotfinke/

Day 97: 5 Writing Tips

My Project: 365 Writing Prompts

Day 97: 5 Writing Tips

The other day I read a blog post entitled “The 5 Worst Writing Tips I’ve Ever Received.” I didn’t agree with the information and posted a reply. I was promptly challenged by the blogger to explain my criticism. Always happy to oblige I agreed and promised to explain criticism in a blog post of my own. Make yourself comfortable as this could take w while.

According to the blogger, the five worst writing tips she received were:

1. Outline your stories before you write them

I wouldn’t say that’s bad advice, that is very good advice. While there’s no need to go into great detail, a writer should have some idea of what the story will be about. Let’s say that the story is about John and Jane. Who are John and Jane? Where do they live? What did they do that’s worth telling others about? What hurdles did they have to overcome to make the story interesting?

While I agree that a writer should be flexible in his ideas and go with the flow, there has to be a basic plot. If not on paper, then at least in the writer’s mind.

Having something on paper helps as the story develops. John can’t have black, curly hair on page 5 and blond floppy hair on page 83. Jane can’t celebrate her birthday on July 15^th on page 3 and shiver in a freezing temperature on her way to her birthday party on page 90.

2. Set a writing schedule and stick to it

Absolutely. Writers are notorious procrastinators. They want to write, they feel the need to write, but … oh yes, there are a whole lot of obstacles.

Many writers shave a full-time job and feel tired at the end of the day. They’d much rather veg out in front of the TV than sitting in front of a computer. At work they decide to write ‘tonight’, but when they get home they think ‘I’ll write something between lunchtime tomorrow.’ When that doesn’t happen they promise themselves to start writing ‘over the weekend.’

3. Unemployed writers face other challenges. They’re going to write as soon as:

·      They’ve checked their emails and replied to those that need a response

·      They’ve checked Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites and responded to the posts or comments of their friends

·      Played one or several games online (they can be so addictive)

·      Done the house chores

·      Went shopping for groceries

·      Had a nap

·      Played with their pets

Take it from any writer … getting something on paper (hard copy or electronic) takes discipline.

4. Show don’t tell

I agree with that too.

It’s not enough to say that John or Jane were angry, show the reader how angry they were. Did they scream and stomp their feet in frustration? Did they grab a plate and hurl it against the wall?

Neither is it enough to say that the island was beautiful. Show the reader its beauty by describing the scenery in detail. Make it so accurate that they can smell the flowers and hear the birds in the trees.

If you’re not depressed, alcoholic, or somewhat clinically insane, you can’t create a good story

Plenty of writers are in a pleasant state of mind, stick to non-alcoholic drinks, are perfectly sane and still manage to write a gripping story. Then again, the most beautiful poetry and heartwarming stories were written when a writer feels depressed. Depression heightens emotions.

5. Write about what you know

Definitely. It’s the first thing experienced authors will tell any aspiring writer.

Take Dan Brown for instance. Dan Brown is a highly educated author with a fascination for the paradoxical interplay between science and religion. His books are so well researched that there’s no doubt in my mind that he knows the location of his stories like the back of his hand.

Equally knowledgeable about what she writers is Deborah Harkness. For the past 28 years, Deborah has been a student and scholar of history, with numerous degrees to her name from the University of California, Northwestern University and Mount Holyoke College. She has done extensive research on the history of science and magic between the years 1500 and 1700.

Personally, I’m in favor of writers writing about what they know because they obviously have knowledge of the subject and can give details.

A few weeks ago, I read part of a story that was set in Africa. Having lived in Africa for 15 years, I managed to get to page 5, after which I abandoned the story. There were so many inaccuracies that the story infuriated me. I subsequently wrote to the author and asked where she got her information? In which part of Africa has she lived? She admitted that she had never set foot outside of Minnesota.

So, all in all, I think what the blogger describes as bad advice is in actual fact good advice. Feel welcome to share your thoughts.

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/toronto-cat-rescue-bowl-a-thon-9/

 http://connymanero.weebly.com/