iUniverse considers Options for Writing Full-Time – Part 2

Our first iUniverse article, iUniverse considers Options for Writing Full-Time – Part 1 we introduced you to the idea of giving up your full-time day job and take up writing as a profession. We also shared some thoughts on whether you had a viable lifestyle that fits in with your change of life. In this the second article in our series, we mull over different areas you should think over before making that final decision.

How long will it take?

Writing in your spare time is a good option for most, keeping a job ticking along waiting for stardom. But you still need a deadline. A book can take you ten years if you don’t watch out. So plan your daily, weekly and monthly writing and publishing life. Remember if you were to give up your job and become a full-time writer you should put yourself in the clock-in and clock-out mode. Being in a full-time writing profession does not mean that your daily obligations to you, your family and lifestyle must change, but it should be carefully monitored to be sure you don’t get into difficulties. Money will not instantly pour through the letterbox if you don’t get the next book to the publishers in time and out into the marketplace.

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iUniverse considers Options for Writing Full-Time – Part 1

In this the first article in our two part series, iUniverse considers Options for Writing Full-Time, we mull over different areas you should think over before making that final decision.

iUniverse Publishing understands that for many writing comes an extension of their personal lives. They may want to document what they felt over a life-changing experience, to highlight their time as an international sports personality, or maybe to produce a child’s book that came from an idea when their own kids were young. Whatever it was their final goal is to have it published and hopefully make money.

This creative process of writing can start as a hobby which eventually comes to fruition, never another book written. To the fully fledged writer it is an ongoing world of creativity and realizing their dream of having a #1 ranking in their genre. But writing in your spare time over a long period and putting yourself out there marketing, takes a huge amount of time spent away from family and friends. Add to this your day job and you end up with precious little left for anything else.

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iUniverse suggestions to make your Blog more interesting – Part 1

Starting your own blog is an excellent way to promote your book(s). The most important elements of a blog are interesting content and frequent updates. iUniverse Publishing offers tips on topics to write about on your blog as well as other items you can add to your blog to pique readers’ interest.

Should I host my own blog or use a free blog service that will be hosted for me?

iUniverse believes this is the first decision you need to make. You might want to use a free blog service like Blogger.com, or you may decide to host your own blog using WordPress or similar sites. WordPress will charge a minimum of $30 a year for your own domain name. The advantage of using WordPress is that you own the blogsite and , therefore, have more control over it.

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iUniverse Creating Villainous Characters – Part 2

In our first editorial of this series, iUniverse Creating Villainous Characters – Part 1, we saw some devilish anti-hero traits which could indicate the next biggest baddie around. Following on from the black widow, the fanatic, and others iUniverse publishing looks at casting our net wider in Part 2 with some more unscrupulous, downright dirty bad guys and girls.

Power hungry – Tyrant

This baddie ruthlessly crushes his enemies and conquers everything in his path. He wants power at any price and people are just pawns to his wishes. Behind the propaganda and big smiles for the cameras lurks the worst of man.

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iUniverse Creating Villainous Characters – Part 1

Over the years iUniverse has seen numerous story villains come marching or slithering through its doors waiting to be immortalized in self-publishing by their creator – the author. Ask any author and they will tell you they had more fun writing the bad guy character than any other, they just love creating the next anti-Christ, double-dealing gangster, or cowboy in the black hat.

Many readers remember more of the bad guy than the hero, why is this? Maybe it’s because they have an underlying feeling of wanting to be bad, or to experience the thrill of not always doing the right thing. Who knows, but to quote a favorite villain of the last 40 years, Darth Vader:-

“You don’t know the power of the dark side!”

We look at some of the types and traits that make your character the man in black.
Satan from Paradise Lost

The man in red – The Devil

No twin six guns or light saber for this big guy. He uses his charisma and charm to find a person’s moral weakness and lures them into self-destruction. Not someone you want to meet, so cover your ears to his temptations.

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iUniverse Tips on Naming your Characters Part 2

Welcome to the second part of iUniverse Tips on Naming your Characters. Previously we covered getting to know your character and giving them their first name. In Part 2 we look at surnames and how to work it into your characters personality and position in your storyline. We follow this by naming your secondary characters and how important they are to giving your story body and richness. Our final section covers the genre you are writing. Do the characters fit into your wild west novel or not? Supplying your cast with the wrong name will make them unbelievable to your readers.

iUniverse stresses the importance of getting the right surnames

Up until the 12th century surnames are said not to have existed. Later a person got their name from such things as their occupation, nickname and place of birth. Some even took their name, such as a country estate worker, by combining such things as their fathers name and the place they worked.

It was only around the 17th century that we have names that we now recognize in its present form. A popular way of naming one’s family was by using either the father or mother’s name, as the root and adding the suffix –son, such as Donaldson or Williamson.

If you are using historical figures in your adventure, then yes you can use it without much trouble. But be careful how you show this character within your story. A good idea is to take a real name and change it slightly, allowing you to portray a character trait you like, without upsetting historians.

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iUniverse Tips on Naming your Characters Part 1

iUniverse knows as an author there are many scenarios to consider when still penning your latest fiction adventure. Your mind maybe jumping ahead to book-signings when published or your back cover blurb, but before all of that you have to create your story, not just the plot and location but also your characters.

iUniverse says it may seem a grand idea to name your characters after your parents or Uncle Bob, but is it advisable. There are a few things to keep in mind when you decide this crucial aspect of what could be a history making book. One is the character’s personality, secondly their ethnicity and of course their name?

Do you think that F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Jay Gatsby would be as famously known if he were named John Green, or what about Trevor swinging through the trees of Africa instead of the more manly Edgar Rice Burroughs’ character Tarzan? We all have our favorite characters in books, TV and movies, so getting it right will help sell your books long after you have finished your book marketing with iUniverse.

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iUniverse shows you How to Proof your First Draft – Part 2

Our first article, iUniverse shows you How to Proof your First Draft – Part 1, looked at screen revision or print out, revision completion date, and starting your revision. In this second editorial we take you further into the processes needed to complete your first draft in a timely and hassle free manner.

Where to place your corrections

Using double-lined and good margins around the proof will give you plenty of space for amendments and reminders. Use the margins for dialogue which is vague or a prompt of how a character looks. Larger ideas can go in your notebook.

Red ink is best for deletions, blue for insertions and the other two colors as a day by day swap, making it easier to see each day’s changes. Use the same colors in your notebook for improved changes to the storyline.

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iUniverse shows you How to Proof your First Draft – Part 1

Here at iUniverse we know that as an author there comes a time when the plot has been followed, the characters have made their play and the hero walks into the sunset, and you place “The End” on the final page of your manuscript. Hours, days, weeks and many months of penning thoughts and ideas into what you hope is to be one of your biggest accomplishments is complete.

At this point you’ve probably had another inspiration bubbling away, and you’re champing at the bit to start writing. The hero and tale you have just completed has had its time, it’s become lackluster and grey, the storyline old. A seasoned author knows to hold back the reins of their new project and bring home the one waiting to be cleaned up and patted down ready for its journey into the publishing world.

Generating the will power and energy to edit the manuscript you have finished is yet another hurdle. Whether you edit it once, twice or ten times, it’s advisable to come up with a plan to make it the best you can before pushing it out the door. Here are some ideas to consider when revising a proof.

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iUniverse gets you to your First Draft – Part 2

Our first article, iUniverse gets you to your First Draft – Part 1, highlighted two specific areas as you start your first draft, the title where we gave you some ideas on the best options, and penning your book which covered areas of organization. In this second editorial we take you to the next steps in the journey with how to layout out your manuscript, writing or using a keyboard and living with your book. Writing is a big task and knowing what’s involved will make the journey more fun.

Laying out your manuscript

Having plenty of space around what you are writing will be very helpful when it comes to making your proof more attractive to work with and giving enough space for any edits you place on a proof. Set your page margins so your copy block is about 10.5cm (4.2 inches) wide and 18cm (7 inches) tall. This should, depending on your paper size, center your copy box in the sheet of paper.

Writing or using a keyboard

No matter which method you are using; a pen, pencil or keyboard and in some cases voice-recognition software which is now relatively inexpensive; the procedure you implement for writing should be a constant. Once your notes and research material are divided into chapter piles you can spread them out over an area, in an order which you understand and start writing from what is in front of you. Remember what you are penning is your first draft, it’s not Shakespeare. It’s just your thoughts, ideas and if appropriate a plot, being put into a semblance of order. Whatever you do, get it down somewhere on paper or a hard disk and make a copy!

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iUniverse gets you to your First Draft – Part 1

In this the first article of a two part series, iUniverse gets you to your First Draft, we look at what is critical in your journey to how, when and what you should be doing to get to the end of your first draft smoothly and with less hassle.

With all new endeavors we all have a tendency to jump in head first with only a small thought of the consequences further along the line. Writing and publishing is no different than any other. Insufficient planning the first time you put your foot into the publishing pool can give you a big headache.

iUniverse Publishing understands that each book has its own intricacies. If you are writing fiction for children you might have to involve an illustrator for the drawings. Deciding to write a non-fiction book on birds may mean having a photographer aboard. In both cases, the illustrator and photographer need to be paid and credited, unless you are in collaboration which in many cases makes life a lot easier in the long term.

Make sure the funds you have put aside for writing and publishing are used wisely because you certainly don’t want to miss a potential writers’ conference or large book fair due to you not following a planned schedule.

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iUniverse says Be Positive about Bad Reviews

If you are a new iUniverse self-published author don’t be surprised when your pride and joy hits the bookshelves and your first review pops up on Amazon stating:

The plot isn’t so bad; it’s just not a good one…

At this point – once your legs have stopped wobbling and your heart beat comes back to normal – take a step back and certainly take a big breath. It’s not as dire as you think.

Today our society is one big spider’s web, exactly as envisioned when the internet was created. So you should expect criticism if you put something out on public view. Having a one star review on Amazon or B&N is not as bad as you think. It’s just their opinion.

As an internet user it will take you less than a minute to find merchandise all over such sites showing five stars down to one within the same product. How is this possible? Any item which has five stars plastered over its webpage shouting out to the world it’s the best thing since the invention of fire is always suspicious. Better to have various star ratings, as it’s a personal preference of many individuals over a broad spectrum.

A review no matter how long or how many stars helps put your book in view of other potential readers. Having a critique say your novel has bad spelling and grammar is another matter. This comes down to editing it correctly and having it done professionally, which is always recommended.

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iUniverse Tips for Penning your Autobiography

With all the books at the iUniverse Bookstore and Amazon available, who would come to mind if you had to choose an autobiography to read?

It could be yours!

If you do decide to write your memoirs then first you need to shape your own narrative, it’s a good idea to show the readers where you are now in your life and then lead them backwards to your roots, and eventually forward again. So be sure it’s cohesive and as factual as possible. To aid you delve into your past and to put it together in print, we have outlined some suggestions to get the clouds to clear on your own life’s story.

iUniverse gives reasons why should you write an autobiography?

• To share who you are now and how you became that person
• To pass on your heritage and family history
• To leave a message to a future generation
• To understand and deal with an experience you had
• To have closure on an event or experience

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Staying Productive the iUniverse Way

iUniverse carries on its series of articles that hopefully inspires the writers and self-published authors out there. The writing process is exactly that, a process. Blood, sweat and tears are shed with every published book. Ask any writer/author and they will tell you how difficult it is sometimes to motive themselves and keep productive. But understanding productivity hazards can help towards making the end result a lot smoother.

With this article iUniverse Publishing is sending a positive shield to counter these hazards with some suggestions to make your manuscript curl with delight.

No clarity: If you have no idea of where you’re going with your story, it’s nigh impossible to measure any progress and set any future goals.

No short-term goals: Developing a daily, weekly and monthly goal will keep you balanced and will point you in the right direction. Make sure these goals include practical matters as well as your ambitions.

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iUniverse presents more Tips on Creating Believable Characters

iUniverse self-publishing says so, you have a brilliant idea for a story, and you have an excellent plot. However what kind of characters will your story have? Without believable characters, your readers won’t be intrigued by your story, no matter how much action you have packed into it. Interesting fiction needs carefully thought-out characters.

Maybe your story has fight scene after fight scene or is full of battles and chase scenes, but such scenes should be centered around your characters. Your readers will want to continue reading only if your characters are realistic and relevant to them.

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iUniverse outlines Bankable Non-Fiction Genres

Here at iUniverse we know that everyone has a story inside them, true or total fiction. Whichever it is, we would all love to put it into print and have others read our thoughts, fantasies or real-life experiences. As a writer you need to decide why you are writing. Is it personal or profit?

iUniverse publishing is aware that the everyday fiction reader is pulled in various directions as they choose what to do with their free time. The novel in their hands is competing against other books to read or magazines to flip through, and even a movie or watching TV.

On the other hand non-fiction draws readers in a different way. Each non-fiction book is totally distinctive, appealing to different target markets, and people purchase because of the time and money it may save them or the subject is of common interest. Because of this it should be easier to persuade a reader in your market to buy than a novel.

So let’s look at a few ideas for non-fiction that can be enjoyable to write, especially if you have a passion for the subject, and that hopefully will put some money in your pocket.

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iUniverse Writer’s Tips on Horror Story Settings

So, you’re going to write a horror novel. iUniverse self-publishing asks if you have given any thought as to what kind of setting it’s going to have?

iUniverse publishing says this is a vitally important aspect of any horror tale, but one which inexperienced writers often neglect to place emphasis on. Good horror stories are part atmosphere, part suspenseful moments and part scary creatures. The setting is every bit as important as your plot.

Castles or Gothic mansions?

Horror stories use such creepy places for settings as haunted houses, castles, run down chateaus, large hotels as in Stephen King’s “The Shining”, abandoned warehouses, factories, hospitals, especially mental asylums, abandoned mines (“The Hills Have Eyes“), subway tunnels, caves, ghost towns, cabins in the woods, mysterious islands and lonely stretches of highway. However, the setting can sometimes be more effective and terrifying when it is contrary to the readers’ expectations.

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iUniverse highlights the Heroes’ Side-Kick Part 2

In the first part of this two part series of articles, iUniverse self-publishing introduced you aspiring authors to the concept of the side-kick- an essential ingredient in countless stories. Now iUniverse Writer’s Tips examines the side-kick’s other traits.

Does the side-kick have personality?

As a writer, the side-kick character should be as important to you as the hero or heroine. Giving him a consistency in personality and attitude, along with something a reader can relate to, will help in the overall relationship seen between them throughout the story.

In earlier times, the side-kick was generally shown as a character that may have been slow-witted, mostly cowardly and happier to be sitting in a warm room with a cup of tea instead of going on adventures. During the last 50 years this has changed, with the role of the side-kick being kick-ass themselves. The comic wit may still be there but now both hero and side-kick are on the same playing field.
Rex the Wonderdog

Human, animal or other?

Whether you give your hero a human counterpart or an animal – such as Snowy who travelled with Tintin around the world – it does not matter. It really depends on which genre you are writing for. If it’s a fantasy novel you are penning then use your imagination to create a character that is memorable and works well within the plot. As we have seen through sci-fi literature of the early 40s and 50s the side-kick was generally robotic, female or a young adult. Today, such side-kicks can be a totally new species to the avid reader or watcher. If you are writing a screenplay (your world is whatever mutant?) you can imagine.

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iUniverse highlights the Heroes’ Side-Kick Part 1

iUniverse publishing knows that throughout the history of telling tales, whether by word of mouth, written in literature, listened to by radio, or watched on TV or at the movies, there is one thing that always brings the readers attention back to the hero or heroine. What is that one thing you may ask? Of course it’s the enduring side-kick.

Some of the greatest heroes in our world of stories have that one character that helps in their adventures for the greater good. Such literary notables as Sherlock Holmes had the sometimes dour Dr. Watson, Robinson Crusoe had his Man Friday and author Mark Twain gave Tom Sawyer his pal Huckleberry Finn.

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iUniverse: Screenwriting Contests & Competitions 2012-13 Part 4

In iUniverse presents Screenwriting Contests & Competitions in 2012 and 2013 – Part 3, iUniverse self-publishing encouraged you to enter several screen writing contests, including Scriptapalooza, the Fade in Awards and the CineStory Screenwriting Awards Contest. In this article, we will present a few more contests.

Austin Film Festival Screenplay and Teleplay Competition – $5,000 Cash Prize

This competition was established for non-professional screenplay writers. To enter, you must submit a drama or comedy film script between 90 and 120 pages. The first place winner in each category will receive a cash prize of $5,000.

Every year, the early deadline is May 15, the late deadline is June 1, and the final deadline for the teleplay competition is also June 1. Entry fees are $40 for the early deadline, $50 for the late deadline and $30 for the teleplay competition.

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iUniverse: Screenwriting Contests & Competitions 2012-13 Part 3

In iUniverse presents Screenwriting Contests & Competitions in 2012 and 2013 – Part 2, iUniverse publishing encouraged you to enter several screen writing contests, including the Big Break Screenwriting Contest, the Cinequest Screenwriting Competition and the Page International Screenwriting Awards. In this article, we will present a few more contests.

Scriptapalooza Screenwriting Contest – $10,000 Cash Prize

This contest was started in 1998 to find talented, unknown screenplay writers. It is recommended by the author of Story, Robert McKee, and Write Brothers Inc., the creators of Movie Magic Screenwriters computer software. The first place winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000, and the competition will publicize the winner’s, finalists’ and semifinalists’ screenplays for one year.

To enter this competition, you must submit a screenplay in any genre between 80 and 140 pages in English. For the early deadline, scripts must be postmarked by January 7, 2013, for the First deadline – March 5, 2013, for the regular deadline – April 16, 2013 and for the final cut-off date – April 22, 2013. The entry fees are as follows: Early – $45, First – $50,, Regular – $55 and the final – $60.

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iUniverse discusses the best opening lines of novels

What do you think are the top ten opening lines of novels? iUniverse publishing argues that the topic is controversial, but many people would agree that these are some.

“Call me Ishmael.”

“Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”

“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”

In this article, iUniverse Writer’s Tips will take a look at many opening lines which are thought to be the best in literature. Let’s begin with Ulysses by James Joyce. The opening line of the novel is,

“Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed.”

This type of sentence is considered a classic third person opening, and it has helped shape modern fiction since it was published in 1922.

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iUniverse suggests ways to write a book using Flashbacks

iUniverse publishing says flashbacks can be very important to the development of a story. They tell us about a character’s backstory, which is everything that has happened to a character, including all their experiences, up until the point that they are introduced in a book.

Many inexperienced writers make the mistake of putting flashbacks in the wrong place. Others allow their flashbacks to last too long, which distracts readers from the actual story, and seems like more of a diversion than a way to advance the story.

Many writers use the second chapter of a book as a flashback in order to tell a character’s backstory. Other writers like to make the first chapter a flashback and, then, jump forward to the present in the second chapter. Still others like to alternate the chapters of a book and use two separate timelines to tell their story, e.g. one chapter is set in the past and the next is set in the present throughout the story or vice versa.

Triggering Memories

Think about how you remember things from the past. Memories come from somewhere. They are usually triggered by something happening in the present. It is important to trigger flashbacks by having something happen to your character in the present which shows the reader the obvious reason for the flashback or why the character is remembering the past.

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