Creating a Series with your Books

Many authors, after writing several books, like to create series. A series in the literacy industry is like a series in the televesion network; the story continues. In a series an author creates different parts to go along with the story. Some people simply name the different parts in their series, part 1, part 2 etc. Some actually give the different parts a name. In order to create a successful series, your story must continue and it must be interesting.
If you are considering to create a series within your story here are a few tips to think about.
1. Can you continue this story for a long time.
2. Will it get dry?
3. Will it stay intersting?
4. Is there enough room to bring in new characters and have your old characters grow?
5. Is the story limited?
6. How far can you take this series and keep your audience interested.
Although we can come up with great things to create new books, it's hard when you have the same storyline, the same characters and the same direction. So if you are considering this path in writing, answer the questions above first.
Before we end today's blog...
Check out the new theme for this week's Writer's Lounge and see who was the winner for last week's theme: http://thepovlounge.webs.com
Signing Off,
Dominique Watson

The Publisher's Choice: "Truth Be Told"

The book of the month is "Truth Be Told" I must say, this book was awesome!!! I loved it. It kept me in tuned with the characters and ready to see what else they had in store. This book also has a surprised ending. If you are in the mood to curl up with a good book, this book will do the job.

Be sure to support your fellow authors! Purchase and read their book. You can fing my full thoughts and recommendation on this book on October 1st here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/publisherschoice.htm

Before we end today's blog...
Find out how you can get your book on The Publisher's Choice: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/publisherschoiceform.htm

Signing Off,
Dominique Watson

The Writer's Lounge

This weeks Winner of the "Vacation Theme" is Dana. The title of her writing was "Paradise Island"

Read and comment on her winning writing.

As I finished packing our last few items, my mind lingered to our first trip to the Bahamas. We were so in love then, still fighting our way through the ups and downs of a new relationship. It was ten years ago, this week, that we made that wonderful trip. Ah, the memories. My wonderful husband, James, wasn’t always so caring, and neither was I. The tests and trials of marriage have made this trip, to Paradise Island, a welcomed vacation.
I reserved a room at a wonderful hotel a distance away from all the action. Our room overlooks the ocean with its beautiful blue hues and soothing waves. Other than a phone in the hotel lobby, basically for emergencies, we have no form of contact to the rest of the world. Our purposed is to have a great time for love and mental therapy!
I lingered in the living room looking at our wedding pictures wondering what happened to the love we once shared and, GOD, can we get it back? The children had grown without us; our goals had changed many times. The sounds of waves crashing against white sand took over my thoughts.
Then I heard the shaking of keys.
Marie,” my ever loving husband was ready to go, “it’s time to go or we will miss our plane.”
“Oh, I’m ready!” I said with great enthusiasm.
We locked up the house, walked out the door and were on our way! Both of us hesitated as we pulled out of the driveway as if to say, this is it; another try. Seven days of date nights, late mornings, and rekindling a love lost.
“Did you call your mom?” I asked him, hoping he wasn’t too worried about being away.
“Yes, everything is fine.”
“Great. The younger kids are situated. The next seven days are for us!”
We boarded the plane with a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead.
When we got out of our taxi, in front of the hotel, reality hit me hard. I could feel a wave of emotions fill my body and take over my mind. As the waves hit the shore on the other side of the building and the heat from the afternoon soon ignited my body, I remembered why I married James; not out of lust, but of love. The love that keeps his smell in my nose after he’s showered and gone to work. The love that keeps me praying for him when he is not with me. WOW! God, I know you have a plan this week.
Our room was a wonderful suite, created just for us! A large living/room dining area with a kitchenette and a two person patio. The bedroom had a large king bed with tall cherry wood bed posts, huge pillows (I love pillows) and soft lighting. The carpet throughout the suite was so plush it was like walking on clouds. Needless to say I was on cloud nine just being away from home!
Before we end today's blog...
There's a new theme this weel "The Affair" Check it out and submit your writing to The Writer's Lounge: http://thepovlounge.webs.com/thisweekscontest.htm
Signing Off,
Dominique Watson

Question of the Week

This week's question is: "How do you develop your characters and keep them alive through out the book? What is your special technique in bringing them to life?
Post your comment below and tune in next wednesday for a new question.
Signing Off,
Dominique Watson

A list of Free Websites

I decided to put together a list of Free Websites. I know there are a lot of upcoming authors who are looking to branch out in the author field. These sites are not in any particular order.
So below is a list of free websites. The links are attached so check them out.
1. http://www.homestead.com/?s_cid=OS1&pd=t
2.http://www.webs.com/
3.http://www.tiptopwebsite.com/
4. http://www.godaddy.com/domains/search.aspx?isc=yhkw131f
5. http://www.bravenet.com/
6.http://smallbusiness.officelive.com/en-us/
These are just a few. Remember, when shopping around for a new website, make sure they offer what you are looking for. If there are things that are not important to you that you can do without be sure you know what they are so you can get your money's worth.
My advice is to make a list of what you want and then go shopping.
There are also a lot of website that charge a monthly fee that are good as well. So again, shop around and know what you want.
Before we end today's blog....
Registration for our Fall Classes is now open: http://povonlinewritingcourses.webs.com/
Signing Off,
Dominique Watson

This Week's List of Services

View below business owners with services that may help you!

1. A Productive Pen Writing Service
http://contentcreation.wordpress.com/
SEO articles, special reports, and video articles to boost your website's search engine ranking.

2. No Cost Fundraiser Non-Profits !
www.myfundraiser.info

3. Designing Promotional Stationery, ie. Bookmarks, Note cards, letter-heads, etc...www.allysonmdeese.webs.comor email me allysondeese@yahoo.com with Promo in the subject line.

Be sure to check us out next week to see our new weekly Services.

The Publishing Season Part Five: Check list: (Website, P.R., Marketing)

This is the last step in “The Publishing Season” Once you’ve completed this step, it’s time to start all over again and start writing your book. (If you decide to publish again) So I will go through a quick check list of things to do now that your book is published and in stores.
1.Do you have an author website? All authors must have an author website. We speak about this on The POV Lounge http://thepovlounge.webs.com/ a lot. An Author Website is essential!
2. Do you need to hire a PR? Are you capable of promoting your own book or do you need to hire a PR or Marketing team to help you?
3.Do you need an agent? Are you happy with the publishing company you chose or do you think you need to hire an agent for the next project?
4.Have you booked any book signing or release party? Get your name out there. Celebrate the release of your book. Contact local book stores to schedule book signings
5.Have you joined any social networks online to help promote your book? Social networks always help.
6.Do you have some of your books on hand? It’s important to always have a few copies of your book on hand in case you run into someone that wants to buy a copy.
7. Have you been following the marketing plan you sent to your publishing company? This is always important to keep an eye on and make sure you are living up to your goals.So now we’ve finished the publishing season. If you are planning to write another book, it’s now time to start back at square one with “The Writing Season” Articles
Before we end today's blog...
Be a guest speaker here on the POV Lounge: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/guestspeaker.htm
Signing Off,
Dominique Watson