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May 22, 2014
Hi Friend,
To our new subscribers, thanks for signing up for being a subscriber to Creativity Sparks newsletter for creatives and novelists!
Here we focus on creating fiction and sharing it with the world, because when we travel into a novel we can come back home to ourselves.
Summer is coming to the Bay Area, today. Tomorrow it could be foggy. Such is the weather on the edge of the Pacific. Hope you're well, wherever you are when you read this.
As I mentioned last week, I'm putting the final touches on my next paranormal romance novella. I'll be revealing the cover soon on my Facebook page! |
| | For our long-time subscribers, thank you for reading and connecting with me! I really appreciate everyone's replies to me about my reveal about my hands -- being born with hands (and toes) that are different. See my Instagram feed here if you missed that.
As I mentioned last week, I'm working on creating video shares/rants about how I really feel and think about all those years of hiding and dealing with people's attitudes toward me for being different.
One group of people that didn't treat me as any different was my family. When I was a kid, my sister, as a joke, put my left hand in her mouth. Even though she's my younger sister, my hand fit because my fingers on that hand are small. It was such an endearing moment. I felt awkward for a moment, then totally accepted and loved and in the circle of warmth of my siblings -- because I'm sure my two younger brothers were there too. I think we had a giggle fest after that.
Food for thought: Who already sees you for you and values what others (or you) may perceive as less than?
Onto this issue...
In this Issue:
-- Short Wisdom Bite: How to Become an Author: Q&A with a College Student
-- There are a still a few spots in the Group Coaching program for Novelists
-- Upcoming In-person Events for May and June 2014 -- I'll be at BayCon this weekend!
-- May is Book Marketing Month: 3 things!
#1: Book Marketing Challenge for May
#2: Special! 50% off "How to Run Your Successful Blog Tour" video course
#3: Donate for a good cause!
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| | SHORT WISDOM BITE: How to become an author: Q&A with a College Student
About a month ago, my assistant's son, Alex, asked me a series of questions about becoming a writer. I thought the questions and my answers were useful to share.
I loved his question #5: Where do I start?
When you're just starting on the road to your writing career, this is the best question to ask.
My answer:
Start with what you’re passionate about. If you don’t know where that is, then try lots of different things. Write different kinds of stories and formats — different kinds of fiction and nonfiction, short pieces, long pieces, for different audiences and for different purposes, in different points of view, etc. Start with writing 1-3 pages in each of these different kinds of writing — mix and match — to see what you may like.
You can read the entire article here.
In case you missed the post on tips for doing business the right-brain way -- because novelists that's what we're doing -- we're running a business -- then you can read the entire article here. |
| | | Are you ready for a small group community support to get your novel done this year?
If you're on the fence about joining us, contact me for a phone chat, so we can decide if this group is the right fit for you.
Though we have officially started May 1st, you can still join us.
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Stop going at writing your novel alone!
Get support, accountability, and resources, all in one supportive environment with your peers and experienced mentors, so that you can write and complete your novel this year.
In our program, you'll get the step-by-step help you need to write, publish, or market your genre novel with bestselling novelists (Ezra and me!) who are also professional teachers, coaches, and mentors.
Let me tell you what we're going to do together! - Monday/Wednesday/Friday accountability prompts
- Tip sheets, resources, and special resources on craft, plot, character development, genre-specific support
- How to find editors/beta readers/critique partners
- Monthly teaching/group coaching calls
- And more!
All the sign up details are here: http://coaching.bethbarany.com/.
Already participants are working on their character sketches, story summaries, and organizing their time to get their writing done! So fun!
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| | | Upcoming In-Person Events
** May 23-26, 2014 -- BayCon, Hyatt Regency, Santa Clara, CA -- I'll be there on these 3 panels:
If you're going to BayCon, email me and maybe we can connect!
-- Friday, May 23, 5 pm, Building Your Writing Community panel (Bayshore room)
(with Adrienne Gormley, Setsu Uzume, Dario Ciriello (Moderator), Laurel Anne Hill, Dan Hope)
So you're thinking about writing but don't know how to start. Or you have a manuscript but you're not ready to show anyone. This panel will discuss how to identify where you are in the process of finishing your book, different types of writing groups and how to utilize them, when to recognize when your work is ready for beta readers, and how to give and receive critique with grace and encouragement.
-- Sunday, May 25, 3:30 pm Strange Love - Using Romance Tropes in Science Fiction and Fantasy panel (Bayshore room)
(with Amy Sterling Casil, Carrie Sessarego (Moderator), D. M. Atkins, Deirdre Saoirse Moen, S.L. Gray)
What are science fiction and fantasy's most powerful love stories, and why do we love them so much? What's the difference between a romance novel and a novel with romance? Find out how romance novels have changed in the last two decades, and how the digital market has opened up a whole new crossover world.
-- Sunday, May 25, 5 pm Female Archetypes in Fantasy (Stevens Creek) [One of my favorite topics!]
(with Griffin Barber, Ursula Vernon, Taunya Gren (Moderator))
In fantasy stories set in worlds with their own system of gods and goddesses, are the female archetypes too limited, to roles such as The Mother or The Daughter? Do we need more stories with a full spectrum of female archetypes, such as those in the pantheon of India?
(Rooms subject to change. Check the daily schedule. To register and get more information about BayCon, a science fiction and fantasy convention, go here.)
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| | May is Book Marketing Month -- yes, still!!!
Because I've declared it so!
Two ways to get inspired and get into action! |
| | 1. I'm one of 40 experts participating in D'vorah Lansky's Book Marketing Challenge all month. Sign up for your free Silver pass here. Get more information here.
I'm super excited to be doing my interview with D'vorah next week for the challenge! I do it next week. All who sign up will be able to listen to my interview on "How to Run a Blog Tour for Novelists." |
| 2. If you're ready to learn how to create your own successful blog tour (one of the best ways to get reviews, find new readers, and sell books), check out my 3 tips here and if you're ready, take advantage of the 50% off of the course. (Discount good until May 30, 2014.)
So act now! Only 1 more week!
This is the only time this year I will be discounting this course. |
| | 3. Donate to win 1 Ticket To my video course: HOW TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL BLOG TOUR ($297 Value!)
OMG -- to date, this is going for only $18 -- such a great deal!
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| | Let me know if you have questions! And Happy Writing!
Here's to you and your dreams!
Best,
Beth
www.BethBarany.com
beth@bethbarany.com
PS. Feel free to share any of the news in this newsletter via social media and/or email. Spread the love! And thanks! |
| | ABOUT US
Beth and Ezra Barany are award-winning, best-selling novelists, who have worked with over 100 authors to help them get their books written and published.
♥ Happily married for over 15 years, we’re passionate about writing, storytelling, and guiding authors to achieve their dreams.
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