The Death of Fiction?

Gina signing her debut, Crossing Oceans
probably at a bookstore that no longer exists

by Gina Holmes

Gina Holmes is a two-time Christy finalist and founder of NovelRocket.com. 

I go through stages. For years, I'll read nothing but non-fiction. Even while I'm under contract to write a novel. I just can't get into story. I don't know why. Then, I'll go through a period where non-fiction bores the heck out of me and I can't get enough story. In recent years, I've gone through my biggest no-fiction lul yet. I may have read half-a-dozen novels, (start to finish, that is), in the last three or so years. I'm a novelist for crying out loud. What's up with that?

I'm not sure what's up with that for me, but according to the Writer's Guild, authors are only making a fraction of what they used to. When I was a little girl, my parents had to rip the books from my hands and push me out the door to play with friends.

These days, we're not ripping books out of our kids hands, we're taking video game controllers away.

Less readers. Less sales. Less contracts. But more books. With the rise of self-publishing and boom of small presses, we have more books than ever, but fewer readers. So much for the supply/demand model.

In recent days, I've found myself getting down about the state of publishing.  I even declared to a  publisher that fiction was dying. He didn't disagree. Ouch. I only said that so he would of course. (Note to men, if the woman says she looks fat in this dress, you don't nod in silent agreement, you give her an incredulous look and declare her mad. Mad AND skinny, of course.

If his silence was proof that fiction truly is dying, than I am as much to blame as anyone. I've set down the novel for youtube, netflix, and facebook updates. I've helped slaughter the sheep I should have been shepherding. (Yes, melodramatic I know, but I AM a writer, sniffle, tissue dab to eye, for now.)

Today, I have a more hopeful outlook on the future of novels. Why? Maybe because the sun is actually shining outside. Maybe because it's no longer that time of month, maybe because my son remembered to make his bed and kiss me goodbye. Or maybe because I stayed away from fiction so long that I actually began to miss it.

When the days are nice outside and not too hot, I love a good long walk to keep my middle-aged body in some kind of non-globular shape. Not being too technically savvy, I finally figured out I can listen to audiobooks via my iPhone and Audible. I've found that walking is more enjoyable when I'm "reading".

On days when it's raining or just too hot to walk outside, I use my treadmill which faces a plain, boring, wall. The hourlong workout feels sssoooooooo loooooooooonng . . . EXCEPT when I'm reading, and now I always am.

I don't think fiction will ultimately die because people will gorge, then starve, then gorge themselves on it again. It's cyclical like everything else in this world. Take it away and people will want it.

Yes, we still get  our fill of story with movies and TV shows, but sometimes we can't or don't want to watch. I don't think anyone on the same road as me wants me watching a movie while I'm driving my car. Heck, I can barely drive with my eyes glued to the road.
Listening to an audiobook? Sure.

When I close my eyes to sleep, I can put earbuds in and listen to my 2nd generation Kindle read to me in the GPS voice I've become accustomed to without disturbing my husband with a flickering light.

Gina's latest. In stores now.

 I can run on the treadmill without having my phone or computer screen jump up and down while trying to watch a show with rattling eyeballs. And I can walk my dog while listening to a book. (Good luck trying to watch a movie while walking your dog. I've tried it. No likey.)

So, I don't think fiction is dying. I think  e-books are replacing paper and hardbacks. I think audio books will gain popularity when the price goes down and with more affordable and easy access sites like Audible.

The biggest reason I know fiction won't stay on life-support is that my 13 year old son, who would rather play video games than anything else has decided that he wants to be a writer. He read a book that turned him onto fiction and if he can't write the stories behind video games one day, well, he might settle for writing a novel. It's this kind of slumming that gives this writer hope. The kids who hold the controllers today might just hold the defibrillator paddles over fiction tomorrow. If not, I wonder if Crossing Oceans the video game could work?

Read More

What It Takes to Make It

by Gina Holmes

I'm going to share a secret with you. Making it in the publishing business isn't easy. (Yeah, some secret, you're probably saying. Everybody knows that.) Yeah, well did you know that most of us have been rejected so much and so often, early on, that we've given up at least a bazillion times? 

That's right. We gave up. And then we gave in. And then we gave it our all ... again.

Gina's latest release

When I look at old pictures of the folks I started this writing journey with, I don't remember some of them, because I never heard or saw from them again. Others, I'm still close to, but they've detoured onto other life pursuits. All of which are every bit as worthy as writing.

Some have gone on to self-publish, which, surprise-surprise, has turned out to be a not-so-bad proposition for them, despite all we'd been told, and observed years back.

But the ones who went on to become traditionally published, were dogged in their desire to be. They knew what they wanted and no, 'don't call us, we'll call you', in the world was going to detour them from the path.

Some were, and are, great writers, some were not so good but now are. All who stuck with it have gone on to be published.  

That's the secret to making it in this business. Sticktoitivness. 

Yes, you need to learn the rules. Yes, you then need to know when, why and how to break them. Yes, you should read and apply Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Techniques of the Selling Writer, and other how to writing books. Yes, you should join a critique group, attend writers conferences, and all the rest.

But if you look around you (figuratively, I don't mean right now at your coffee cup, messy desk and the cat laying across your keyboard), you will see the faces of other writers who will fall by the wayside. Why? Not because they can't write well. Many people who can't write all that well go on to be published. (No names please, lest mine be thrown into the conversation.) 

The ones who will fail, will fail because they give up too soon. Often, an inch or two before reaching the summit.

It's okay to quit, guys. Just not today. Quit tomorrow. Today: write, submit, cry, write again, submit again. 

Perseverance baby. It's the only thing that'll take you there. Shhhh, don't tell.


Gina is the founder of Novel Rocket, regularly named as one of Writers Digest’s best websites for writers. Her debut, Crossing Oceans, was a Christy and Gold Medallion finalist and winner of the Carol Award, INSPY, and RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice, as well as being a CBA, ECPA, Amazon and PW bestseller. Her sophomore novel, Dry as Rain was a Christy Award finalist. Wings of Glass has been named as one of the best books of the year in 2013 by Library Journal and was a SIBA Okra pick and a finalist for Romantic Times’ Reviewers Choice Award. Her latest novel, Driftwood Tides is in stores now. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her family in southern Virginia. She works too hard, laughs too loud, and longs to see others heal from their past and discover their God-given purpose. To learn more about her, visit www.ginaholmes.com.

Read More

Interview With Our Founder, Gina Holmes--Win an Autographed Copy of Driftwood Tides!

Gina Holmes is the founder of Novel Rocket, regularly named as one of Writers Digest’s best websites for writers. Her debut, Crossing Oceans, was a Christy and Gold Medallion finalist and winner of the Carol Award, INSPY, and RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice, as well as being a CBA, ECPA, Amazon and PW bestseller. Her sophomore novel, Dry as Rain was a Christy Award finalist. Wings of Glass has been named as one of the best books of the year in 2013 by Library Journal and was a SIBA Okra pick and a finalist for Romantic Times’ Reviewers Choice Award. Her latest novel, Driftwood Tides is in stores now. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her family in southern Virginia. She works too hard, laughs too loud, and longs to see others heal from their past and discover their God-given purpose. To learn more about her, visit www.ginaholmes.com.

Connect with her on Facebook or Twitter. 

To be entered to win an autographed copy of Gina's latest release, Driftwood Tides, leave a comment. One winner will be drawn. Winner announced tomorrow. 

Gina, you've come a long way since starting this blog back in 05 to chronicle your first novel journey. I'm sure you've learned a lot since your first novel, Crossing Oceans, was published. How has becoming an award-winning and bestselling novel changed your life?

The truth is not all that much. I still work as a registered nurse, spend too much time sweeping up dog hair and wish there was more time in the day to just be. One of the gratifying changes has been the respect I've garnered post-publication that I didn't before the first book hit the shelves. A lot of people in my circles thought writing was a waste of time at worse, an amusing hobby at best. I think people listen to me a bit more when I give advice. I was prepared in a lot of ways of the reality of being on this side of the publishing fence having done so many interviews on Novel Journey and Novel Rocket. Even knowing what I did, I still kind of thought the amount of work, particularly in the promotion arena would ease up by this point, but it doesn't. I think that part tires most authors out and I'm no exception.

Tell us  a little bit about your newest release, Driftwood Tides.



Driftwood Tides, in stores now!

Driftwood Tides tells the story of an aging, alcoholic driftwood artist turned beach bum, Holton Creary, and young Libby Slater. Libby grew up with an absent father and a loving but cold, socialite mother. Leading up to her wedding, Libby and her groom-to-be go through genetic testing and she learns her blood type doesn’t match either of her parents. She confronts her mother and is reluctantly told that she’s adopted. She goes searching for her mother, Adele, only to find her husband, Holton Creary lying face down on the carpet of his Nags Head beach shack.

She lies about her real identity until she is finally found out. Holton does not welcome the news. He never knew the wife he had given saint status too had given up a daughter for adoption. Together the two search to find the truth about Adele, Libby’s father and themselves.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

 At its heart, Driftwood Tides is really about discovering who we are, whose we are, where we belong and the need to accept and bestow forgiveness.

Why did you set the novel in Nags Head?

 Oh, how I love that place! I’m not sure there’s a more peaceful setting in all the world. And the further out I get from civilization, the happier I am. I love the sand dunes, the untouched nature, the quaint towns. Just everything! (Well, except sand in my bathing suit maybe J)

You seem to have a recurring theme in your novels about absent fathers, why do you think that is?

When I was 6 years old, I was packed up by my stepfather and driven to my father’s house. Overnight I had a new Mom, new sisters and brother, house and life. It was as traumatic an experience as I can imagine. There were few explanations that made sense to me and I missed my other family desperately. I think ever since I’ve been trying to settle some pretty deep-seated questions. Writing books is wonderful for that.

Crossing Oceans

The novel you’ve written that seems to be a fan-favorite is Crossing Oceans, do you ever

see yourself writing a sequel?


I love that book too. Makes me cry just thinking about certain scenes. I would love to write a sequel, prequel or off shoot stories. I love those characters dearly. I’m under contract for three different novels, so I’m not sure when I’ll have the time, but I’d love to explore Craig’s story and of course, Bella’s. I miss Mama Peg very much!

You’ve said that your favorite novel you’ve written is Wings of Glass. Why is that your favorite?

It was a deeply personal novel to write. I grew up watching my mother in abusive relationships, and then two of my sisters. I swore it would never be me, until that is, my (then) boyfriend hit me for the first time and I found myself making excuses for him. I've matured a lot since then and have done a lot of work on the flawed thinking that I learned growing up. I see so much of it in women around me though and Wings of Glass was my answer to that burden on my heart.

What do you like most about being a writer? Least?

 Most, I like being able to have a platform to share lessons I’ve learned in my life that I know others would benefit from. And more than that, I just love to tell a good story.

 Least, would be the unpredictability of the business. Sometimes it seems so random and the lack of control makes me uncomfortable sometimes. (Which is probably right where God wants me!)

 Do you have any advice for aspiring novelists?

 My advice is pretty much always the same. 1. Write. So many people want to have written but don’t actually do the work. 2. Get to a writers conference because there’s so much  you don’t know, that you don’t even know you don’t know. If you don’t you’ll be spinning your wheels for years, wasting valuable time. 3. Run, don’t walk, to the nearest bookstore and buy yourself a copy of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. Then apply it. (Best money I ever spent!) 4. Join a good critique group and get a nice thick skin, ‘cause you’re sure going to need it!

If you could go back to the pre-published writer you were, knowing what you do now, what advice would you give her?

Well, I wouldn’t have told myself how many novels I’d write that would never see the light of day, because I would have given up. I wouldn’t have told myself how little money there is actually to be made or how lonely writing can sometimes be. I wouldn’t have told myself that I’d still have a day job with 4 novels out in stores, including 3 bestselling novels… okay, but that wasn’t your question… I would tell myself to relax. Some of this, most of this is, is out of your hands, and that’s okay. It’s not going to be at all what you think it is, but it’s going to be so much more. You won’t get rich, but you will touch lives. At the end of the day, that’s going to be exactly what will fulfill you.

Where can readers find your books and more about you?

 Thanks for asking. My books are in B&N, BooksaMillion, Amazon, Lifeway, Parable, Family Christian and hopefully a good number of independent bookstores. You can find me at Ginaholmes.com. 

"[Driftwood Tides] moves like a serene sea: gentle,persuasive, and transformative. Much in the same way time and the elements turn driftwood into something beautiful, Libby and Holton learn that they, too, can change for the better. Readers will delight in this story of redemption and growth." Booklist

"Holmes weaves a superb story of discovering how to forgive." Romantic Times

Read More

Win This Awesome Table!

Wouldn't it look amazing in your home?

To help promote my newest release, I've decided to give away this brand new, totally awesome table. Here's how to enter! 


During the month of September, 2014

1. if you buy a new copy of Driftwood Tides, latest novel by Gina Holmes Ebook or paperback), simply friend her on facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/gina.waters.372 and message or comment that you purchased it. (Receipt with date will be required if you win and the date must be by Sept. 29th, 2014.

The winner will be randomly drawn on Sept 30th, 2014, and announced on my facebook personal and author page. You will also be notified via fb message if possible. 

Winner will have 7 days to claim their prize, provide a valid shipping address (continental US only) and phone # for shipping purposes and receipt of purchase during the month of August or September, 2014.

2. No purchase neccesary: You will also be entered if you post a review on any of the major book buying sites before Sept. 29th, 2014 You will still need to friend Gina at above fb address and comment with a link to your review. If you win you may be asked to prove you are the author of the review. 

Prize may be substitued for prize of equal value. (unlikely)

*You may enter more than once 1 entry for review (regardless of how many sites you post review) , 1 entry per new book purchased (kindle or paperback, receipt required dated prior to Sept. 29th). *If you do not wish to purchase a book but want to enter via review, you may borrow it from local library, bookswap or friend.


Driftwood Tides

"Holmes weaves a superb story of discovering how to forgive."  Romantic Times

Read More

5 Tips to Set a Better Scene

by Gina Holmes

When I began writing novels, description was not an area of strength for me, and setting was just a place to plop my characters. Fast forward ten years and my publisher compliments my upcoming release with a "You can smell the salt in this one." Driftwood Tides (releasing this September) is set at the Outer banks in North Carolina. You can't set a book a place like that without readers expecting a richly painted scene. They want to feel the cold ocean foam on their feet, feel the grit of sand between their toes, hear the seagulls circling above, see the cotton candy colors in the sunset . . . and yes, smell the salt.

1. The best way to learn to master setting is by reading other books that have done just that. One novel that sets the scene better than maybe any other book I've read is To Kill a Mockingbird. Here's one example of the masterfulness of her scene-setting:

"Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop, grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square." You don't get better than that.

Another novel that nails setting is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. My first novel, Crossing Oceans was probably my best for setting and may give you a few ideas, and a recent release, Born of Persuasion, by Jessica Dotta does a masterful job of bringing another time and place to life.

2. Go and feel the roses

It might go without saying to go to the place you are setting your work, but I'm going to say it anyway. If you're setting your scene in Maine, by all means go there and experience that setting. Close your eyes and listen, first to the up front sounds:  sirens, traffic, subway, whatever. But don't stop there. Listen for the underlying background noise: car doors slamming, a car alarm in the distance, children laughing, the flutter of pigeon wings. Now, listen beyond that to the softer noises until you've made note of all the sounds the setting has to offer. When your eyes are closed and you're noting a particular sound, before you open your eyes, try to guess what you're hearing.

While writing Driftwood Tides, I sat on the beach, closed my eyes and heard what I would have guessed to be a sprinkler system rapidly firing. I knew it couldn't be, but that's what it sounded like. It was actually the sound of chirping chicadas and the sprinkler system description was something I was able to use to describe that sound in the book.

You can do the same close your eyes technique for smell and touch too. Write down as many descriptions and comparisons as you can while they're still fresh in your mind.

3. If you can't go there, the next best thing is visiting vicariously. Watch movies set where your book is, take lots of notes. Read books, magazine articles, blog posts, etc set there. Keep pictures  of the inside and outside of the home, courthouse, city streets, etc. that you can continue to reference as you write. Pictures of the furrniture, toy box, anything that you might need to describe. Study your pictures, then close your eyes and imagine what sounds, smells, touches you would experience in that setting.

4. Observe the details. One little trick that brings fiction to life lies in writing in the little things that we take for granted. Not just the sandy beach, but the broken bits of seaweed and shell left in the wake of a retreating wave. The water that fills a footprint left in the sand... watch how it is absorbed back into the ground and the tiny bubbles that pop up right before it does. These are the things that will firmly plant your reader into your story.

5. Have your setting serve more of a purpose than just eye or ear candy. Setting a scene is important to ground your readers, but it should also help us to get to know your characters better. Having your character experience the setting thrrough their unique outlook, mood and life experiences kills two birds with one stone. If your character is an Eyore type, or just feeling  melancholy at the moment, then the boulder she is sitting on may feel hard and cold. If she was just proposed to by the man of her dreams, than maybe she doesn't notice the boulder, but focuses instead on the meadow of wildflowers swaying in the soft breeze beside her. If she has just lost someone she loves, the moment may be bitter sweet. She notices the flowers, smiles, but then her smile fades when she sees how many of the daisys are losing their pedals or are drying up from the dry summer. You get the picture. And so will your readers. 

________________________________

Gina Holmes is the founder of  Novel Rocket, regularly named as one of Writers Digest’s best websites for writers. Her debut, Crossing Oceans, was a Christy and Gold Medallion finalist and winner of the Carol Award, INSPY, and RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice, as well as being a CBA, ECPA, Amazon and PW  bestseller. Her sophomore novel,  Dry as Rain was a Christy Award finalist. Her latest novel, Wings of Glass has been named as one of the best books of the year by Library Journal and was a SIBA Okra pick and a finalist for Romantic Times’ Reviewers Choice Award. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her family in southern Virginia. She works too hard, laughs too loud, and longs to see others heal from their past and discover their God-given purpose. To learn more about her, visit www.ginaholmes.com.

Read More