Six of the Worst Things About Being a Writer

by James L. Rubart

This is far from a comprehensive list, but don't you think six is enough for one serving?

1. Comparing Yourself to Others/Doubt/Insecurity- I combined these three into one since they’re brothers, or at least close cousins. We compare because we doubt which comes out of our insecurity.

“Why did I think I should do this?”

“I’ll never make it.”

“How can I call myself a writer when everyone else is so much better?”

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What To Do When You Don’t Think You’ll Ever Get Published

by James L. Rubart

For you non golf fans, nine days ago, Sergio Garcia won The Masters—one of the most longed for titles in all of professional sports. It was his first golf “major” after 18 years and seventy one tries.

That’s a long time coming. No other golfer has played in more majors without winning one than Sergio.

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Why It Takes A Village To Write A Novel

by James L. Rubart

When it comes to your novels, you’re probably in one of three camps:

1. You think you can write your story by yourself.

2. You realize writing a compelling novel takes a village, a country, the universe.

3. You need to be reminded of fact number two.

I fell completely into camp three during the writing of my latest manuscript. Whoops. 

In January I told my friend Susie the synopsis of the novel. After I was through, she frowned. Not a good sign.

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How To Brainstorm An Epic Series Without Killing Your Partners

by James L. Rubart

In May of 2011, right after the Blue Ridge Christians Writers Conference, Susie Warren and I shared a flight from Asheville, NC to Atlanta. During the forty minute plane ride, we brainstormed a time travel novel.

I always thought we’d write it someday. 

It’s not going to happen. Why?

Because it grew into something far grander.

What Our Seed of an Idea Grew Into

Over the past year, Susie, her brilliant son David, and I, developed the framework for a six-part book series (which will be closer to a TV series in style) about a time traveling detective named Rembrandt Stone.

The challenge?

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When They Don't Understand Your Stories

by James L. Rubart

This past December, just before dinner, Darci went outside, broke off a couple of icicles hanging from our roof and popped them in our water glasses.

“You are brilliant,” I told her.

I thought it was so creative I posted a photo on Facebook.

After posting, I mentioned to Darci, “There will be a lot of people who think you are creativity personified, but at least a few who think you just did something shockingly unsanitary.”  

I was right. Ninety-nine percent of the comments raved about how fun the icicles as ice cubes were, but there were a few comments about how disgusting the idea was because all the germs and bacteria on our roof were now in our water glasses.

The Reality

From a factual, scientific perspective, those people’s (and yours and my) kitchen sink and sponge next to that kitchen are filled with far more grotesque and deadly bacteria than would ever come off a roof.  

But that fact doesn’t matter. What matters is how those people see the idea of icicles in water glasses. They just don’t get it.

And That’s Okay!

Really, it’s okay that they don’t get it. Their opinion is valid. It’s how they feel. 

Not a bad thing in any way.

Not everyone is going to like same movies, books, plays, food, TV shows as you do. Have you ever told a friend about a movie and had them say, “Uh, I didn’t get it.”

“What! How could you not love that movie!”

The problem isn’t that people don’t always get the same things we do, the problem comes when we start changing our behavior, based on those who see things differently than us.

The problem comes when someone doesn’t get your story (agent, editor, friend, spouse, reader) so you change your story. Soften in a few areas. Beef it up in others. Snip and nip and tuck till you think it will please everyone. 

But of course it pleases no one.

Decision By Committee

My friend—and Novel Marketing podcast partner--Thomas Umstattd says, “Decision by committee is the no-fail way to obliterate a creative idea.” (Here's the episode if you'd like to know more about how making marketing choices via committee hurts you.)

I’m not saying not to get input from a FEW trusted advisers. I am not saying you don’t need editing from a macro and micro level. But I am telling you stay with your vision. 

Stay with the story that is a little bit out there, different, hasn’t been done before. 

Stay with your dream of writing that story the naysayers tell you can’t get published. (Exactly what I was told about my first novel Rooms.)

The hard reality is stories aren’t rejected most of the time because they’re different, they’re rejected because the writing isn’t strong enough. We have seen new genre after new genre created because a writer wouldn’t give up their vision.

So dream your dream. Follow your vision. Smile at those who don’t get it and keep writing.

And if it’s cold enough outside, tonight at dinner, toss an icicle into your water glass.

TWEETABLES

When They Don't Understand Your Stories by James L. Rubart (Click to Tweet)

Stay with your dream of writing that story.~ James L. Rubart (Click to Tweet)

Follow your vision. Smile at those who don’t get it and keep writing.~ James L. Rubart (Click to Tweet)

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man's body. He thinks he's still young enough to water ski like a madman and dirt bike with his two grown sons, and loves to send readers on journeys they'll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He's the best-selling, Christy BOOK of the YEAR, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award winning author of eight novels as well as a professional speaker. During the day he runs his branding and marketing company which helps businesses, authors, and publishers make more coin of the realm. He lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at www.jameslrubart.com

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What The Election Can Teach Us About Copywriting

by James L. Rubart

Don't worry. This post isn't going to be about politics. Yeah, I know ... whew.

But the insane campaign/election season that just ended can teach us a salient point about our own copy writing. What works, what doesn't. 

Trump didn't win the election, Clinton lost it. (A quick review for those who might not know a few pertinent facts.)

• Trump received less votes than Romney did in '12.

• Trump received less votes than McCain did in '08.

It wasn't so much that voters turned out for Trump as they didn't show up for Clinton.

Why?

A number of factors, yes, but I think her poor copy writing was part of it. 

Question: What was Obama's campaign slogan in '08? Hope.

What was Trump's campaign slogan? 

I'll give you a second ...

A few more ...

Yep, "Make America great again."

Hillary's Turn

What was Clinton's?

Before you scroll, down, do you know? A majority of people would have a tough time nailing it.

Wait, you're saying, "I thought it was something else." You're right.

Wait, you're saying, "I thought it was something else." You're right.

The Lessons For Us

A few quick lessons, then I'll let you get back to praying for our country (no matter who you voted for).

• If you are one that likes slogans or tag lines, pick one, then stick with it. Realize that if you change it, will take a while for it to sink in. Going from one to another to another will confuse people. 

• People aren't stupid, but they're not studying your slogan. Make it simple for them. Make it something they can remember easily. People didn't turn out for Clinton because a great many of them couldn't quickly tell you what she stood for. Fighting? I'm with her? Stronger together? Uh ... whatever. When people can't say what your novels are about quickly and understand how it will benefit them, nothing will stir inside, and they'll be much less likely to take action. 

• Make your slogan about THEM! Do you want America to be GREAT again? I'm guessing 99 percent of you would say, "Why yes, Jim, I do." Who is that slogan about? Us. You. Me. Our country. America being great again would directly benefit you, me, my wife, my kids ... that stirs an emotion inside."I'm With Her."? Not so much. That's all about Hillary. Makes me think of those campy t-shirts you see some couples wear. Not exactly stirring the passion inside me. How 'bout you?

• Hillary didn't give a specific, tangible benefit. "Fighting For Us!" Uh, yeah, great ... but fighting for what? "Stronger Together!" Stronger for what? 

What are you giving readers? Hope, like Obama gave voters? Making something great again like Trump told voters would happen? Are you giving them freedom? Laughter? Joy? Strength to face the storms of life?

I can't wait to hear your slogan. It's going to rock!

TWEETABLE

What The Election Can Teach Us About Copywriting by James L. Rubart (Click to Tweet)

What if there was a place where everything wrong in your life could be fixed?

Corporate trainer Jake Palmer coaches people to see deeper into themselves—yet he barely knows himself anymore. Recently divorced and weary of the business life, Jake reluctantly agrees to a lake-house vacation with friends, hoping to escape for ten days.

When he arrives, Jake hears the legend of Willow Lake—about a lost corridor that leads to a place where one’s deepest longings will be fulfilled.

Jake scoffs at the idea, but can’t shake a sliver of hope that the corridor is real. And when he meets a man who mutters cryptic speculations about the corridor, Jake is determined to find the path, find himself, and fix his crumbling life.

But the journey will become more treacherous with each step Jake takes.

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man's body. He thinks he's still young enough to water ski like a madman and dirt bike with his two grown sons, and loves to send readers on journeys they'll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He's the best-selling, Christy BOOK of the YEAR, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award winning author of eight novels as well as a professional speaker. During the day he runs his branding and marketing company which helps businesses, authors, and publishers make much more coin of the realm. He lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at www.jameslrubart.com

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How To Do Radio Interviews Right

by James L. Rubart

FYI: This is a re-post of a column from two years back so a few of the details about where I'm at in my publishing history are outdated. 

*******

My second novel in the Well Spring series (Memory’s Door) is about to release so I have a bunch of radio interviews lined up over the next month or so. It’s a great time to remind myself (and you) how to interview in a way that sells more books.

Long ago, and not so far away, I was on air at a radio station where I interviewed guests. So the modicum of wisdom I have to offer comes from having been on both sides of the microphone. 

And yeah, you’ve probably heard most of these before, but it never hurts to go over the fundamentals.

• The Interview is NOT About You This is an easy mistake to make, since you’re the focus of the show. But you’re not the focus of the show. Or at least you shouldn’t be. Who is the star of the interview? The host. It’s their show. They are always the star. Make them look good. Give them the respect they deserve. Follow their lead. If they want to do the Tango, and all you know is the Waltz, don’t stop. Keep dancing and do your utmost to with their flow. Or said more succinctly: You better be ready to go with their style, not expect them to match yours. Mirror, mirror, mirror.

• The Interview is NOT About You Part II The only other person the interview is about is the listener. Which leads us to the third point:

• Don’t Bore Them or Their Audience Whether it’s Howard Stern on one side or Rush Limbaugh on the other, good radio show hosts understand they are providing entertainment to their listeners more than anything else. So they want guests who can entertain. Here are some specifics on how to be intriguing to listeners: 

• Vary the volume of your voice
• Vary your pacing
• Vary your sentences length. (Some of you are saying, “Just like I do in my novels?” Yes, that’s exactly what it’s like) 
• Have some fun, interesting, stories ready to be told
• Be controversial
• Be funny
• Inspire them!

• Practice! A bad radio interview is far worse than no radio interview at all. I was about to do an interview a number of years ago and there was an author on just before me. She talked in a soft monotone voice and didn’t say anything remotely interesting.  I felt for her because it was obvious she’d never been coached on how to be on air. People would listen to her and figure if her books were as boring as she was, they weren’t worth picking up. My guess is most of you have first readers, or critique groups for your writing … you need one for your radio interviews too. Ask them to listen and tell you what worked and what didn’t. Get a friend and role play. Go wild (this will be difficult at first) and record yourself in a mock interview. Listen back and do a self-critique. This alone will take your interviewing skills miles ahead. 

• Elevator Pitches Aren’t Just for Pitching Editors and Agents If you’re doing a ten minute interview, there’s no time to ramble on for two or three minutes each time you answer a question. There isn’t even time for thirty seconds. You have to learn to answer in quick sound bites.   Remember that 25 word pitch for your latest book? Think 25 words for every answer. Now don’t misunderstand. This is a GUIDELINE, not a rule. Sometimes you need a longer amount of time to give a coherent answer. But I hear far more authors go on too long than answer with responses   that are too short.  Hosts appreciate a concise answer. I did one pre-recorded interview where my longest response wasn’t more than fifteen seconds. When we were through, the host said, “Wow, thank you much! It’s rare that we get an author that keeps from talking in long run on sentences and it makes it so hard to cut up the interview.

• Have Fun I know, you’re saying, “after all the To Dos you just gave, we’re supposed to have fun?” Yep. Because in the end, most people won’t remember a lot of what you said, but they’ll remember if you had fun, if you laughed, if you were passionate, if you made them think. And if they remember those things, they’ll probably be sold on you. Which leads to being sold on buying your book.

Is that it? 
No, there's a few other points we should talk about. But we’ll save them for another column down the road because I’ve already gone on too long. And I know you're just dying to start practicing. 

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man's body. He thinks he's still young enough to water ski like a madman and dirt bike with his two grown sons, and loves to send readers on journeys they'll remember months after they finish one of his stories. His novel, The Five Times I Met Myself won the Christy Award 2016 BOOK of the YEAR and his latest novel, The Long Journey to Jake Palmer, just released (which both Publishers Weekly and Library Journal gave a starred review). During the day he runs his branding and marketing company which helps businesses, authors, and publishers make much more coin of the realm. He lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at www.jameslrubart.com

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It's Not About You (At Least It Shouldn't Be)

by James L. Rubart

I wasn't excited about waking up at 6:30 am late last November. (Not a morning person.)

But I had an interview with a Florida radio station for my novel, The Five Times I Met Myself. 

I figured I'd get up at 6:30, get some wake up juice in me and be ready to go by 7:30 when I would be on. 

Didn't figure I'd be woken up at six from a call from my publicist asking if I could do the interview a half hour earlier. (The person at the station who scheduled the interviews had screwed up.)

But there I was, on hold, waiting to go on. The on air team didn't think I could hear them. I could.

"What's wrong with her?"

"Huh?"

"Why can't she figure out how to schedule our interviews. She's always messing it up."

"I hear you."

"Like this one right now. He's on the west coast, not fun to have to wake up and get pumped up to be on air half an hour earlier than he thought. I mean, he's just an author ... but still."

" ... just an author ..."

I cracked up. Too funny and what a great way to be reminded that this author thing isn't that big a deal. In fact, nothing is that big a deal. Author, actor, musician, restaurant owner, receptionist, waiter, teacher ... 

If we're surrendered to Jesus, it doesn't matter what role we're in. It's not about us, it's about him.

True Confession

If I'd been on that call five years ago? It would have irritated me. Why? Because I was still trying to get my validation from man rather than God. I was basing my worth on how much respect I received for who I was and what I'd accomplished. 

Won't work. 

If we're writing to gain fame, respect, validation, praise ... we're on the wide road.

The narrow road is the only one that leads to life.

Let's take that one, yes?

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man's body. He's the bestselling, Christy award winning writer of eight novels and lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at www.jameslrubart.com

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Do You Put Real Life People in Your Stories?

By James L. Rubart

Have you seen the t-shirt that says, "Careful, Or I'll Put You In My Novel"?

Darci (my wife) bought me one a few years back and people always laugh when I wear it. But you and I know it's true, don't we? You think they'd still be laughing if they knew it really happens?

I've done it. Often. You? 

Usually it's a combination of people I know, but when I wrote my third novel, The Chair, I modeled one of the main supporting characters after my friend Mark.

He's larger than life, a real world Mr. Incredible (6' 4" 265 pounds of muscle and a stellar personality) and I didn't need to change a thing to make him a fascinating character.

But sometimes we don't bring in the good ones. Sometimes we bring in the people that should have been more careful.

Last year, I ran into a woman who rubbed me wrong. That was okay. But she rubbed my wife wrong. Really wrong. We're talking Brillo pad wrong. 

Saying she was unkind is putting it gently. Since this is family column, let's just say she wasn't careful. 

So last summer I considered putting her in my work in progress. (The Long Journey to Jake Palmer - out August 9th) Then I more than considered. I did it.

Here's the Interesting Part

A close friend read the manuscript when I finished the first draft last November. This friend knows the lady in question. When he finished, I was a bit nervous. I thought it would be obvious to everyone. But he asked me if the character was someone else we both knew. 

Whew.

Nope. I didn't disguise this woman a great deal, but enough that it wouldn't be a snap for most people to tell who she was.

No, I'm not saying we should take revenge on people that tweak us the wrong way. But I am saying we can create scintillating characters for by continuing to twist our heads from side to side and look at all the intriguing people all around us.

And yes, I'll be careful around you from now on.

How 'bout you? Have you ever put someone close to you in a novel? Have you worried about them figuring it out?

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man's body. He thinks he's still young enough to water ski like a madman and dirt bike with his two grown sons, and loves to send readers on journeys they'll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He's the best-selling, Christy, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award winning author of seven novels as well as a professional speaker. During the day he runs his marketing company which helps businesses, authors, and publishers make more coin of the realm. He lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at: www.jameslrubart.com

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How to Market Yourself at Writers Conferences

by James L. Rubart

Unless you have a multi-book contract (I’m talking 4+ books) you need to be constantly marketing yourself to publishers. 

Even if you do have a long term contract you need to be marketing yourself because someday that contract will end and (let’s speak this quietly) they might not offer you another contract.  

If you’re newer to the publishing world and want to go the traditional route, and are looking for an agent or that first publishing house to partner with, you need these tips to an even greater degree.

So you’re desperate to stand out. You're looking to make a lasting impact on editors, agents, and other architects of fiction. Use these six techniques when you want to make that impression badly: 

1. Make sure your one sheets say the same thing as other author’s one sheets. Study other author’s one sheets. Write your copy so it’s as close as possible to what your competitors are saying without blatant plagiarizing. 

2. When you meet agents and editors, use language and phrases you’re sure they’ve heard before, such as, “It’s just so nice and just such a pleasure to meet you,” or “Thank you so much for meeting with me, I really think you’ll like my manuscript” or “I hope you’re having a wonderful conference and are meeting a lot of interesting writers.” This will give them a feeling of comfort and familiarity with you. 

3. When developing your marketing material—cards, one sheets, query letters, thank-you notes, etc.—make all of them look a bit different from one another. It allows each to stand on its own and prevents your materials from blurring together. For example use one font for your name on a one sheet and a different font on your business cards.

4. If you put a picture on your card or one sheets, make sure it’s your best, even if the photo is four or five years old. First impressions are critical. 

5. Find a creative gimmick to hand out—like a wrist band—to everyone you meet. Some might resist your offer, but press in and don’t take no for an answer. These kinds of things will be remembered long after the conference is over. 

6. In your editor and/or agent appointments—and even with other writers—ask a few questions, but make sure you do most of the talking. It’s the only way for them to get to know you and understand fully what you have to offer. 

After applying these six techniques, I guarantee you’ll 

succeed in making an “impression badly.” 

Excruciatingly bad. 

Most of you probably figured out my little joke long before we reached technique number six. But since I’ve seen all of the above in heaping doses, it’s probably worth a quick moment of self-reflection to make sure we’re doing the exact opposite of the above points. 

1. One sheets: Yes, study one sheets to see what’s being done. Then do something different. You’re a writer. Get creative. 

For example, instead of your picture on your one sheet, what if you made the background a light watermark of your photo? If done subtly, an editor or agent might even say, “Interesting. Never seen that before.” 

Without saying a word you’ve told them you’re unique and creative. And they’ll take a closer look at your writing. 

2. Opening lines: Every editor and agent I’ve met (so far) at writing conferences is kind and approachable. But they’re human. They get tired of hearing the same phrases. It’s not original to say, “Read any good books lately?” 

They might give you a courtesy laugh, but inside, they’re probably cringing. It’s not original to say, “I really believe God has called me to write and I just really believe he’s given me this book to share with you.” 

Best thing to say? Describe your writing or project in as few words as possible, then let them guide the conversation. 

If they don’t ask a question, ask them a question (see number six below). I realize when nervous, many people are afflicted with verbal vomiting. Resist this deadly affliction. 

3. Marketing material: You must be consistent. There isn’t time to describe the scientific study that confirms this, but trust me, continuity between your cards, one sheets, website, query letter, follow-up thank-you notes, and everything else you present, is critical. 

4. Your photo: I met a talented writer recently who e-mailed me who wanted to hire me for a consultation. After pulling up her website I thought I had the wrong URL. Her site photo must be from around 1995. I didn’t recognize her. 

Keep your photo updated. Do you think editors, agents, and other authors will remember you more easily if the photo on your marketing materials actually looks like the person they met at the conference? 

5. Handing out a gimmick: Don’t unless it’s well done. At one conference I attended a guy forced everyone to take a cheesy rubber wristband. He somehow missed the pained look on the face of everyone he handed them to. (I did remember this individual long after the conference was over, but I doubt it was in the way he wanted.) 

6. Editor and agent appointments: When I work with writers during 15 minute consulting sessions at conferences I’m surprised how often the writers do most of the talking. 

Conferees consistently use twelve to fourteen of their fifteen minutes to talk about themselves. Then they want a few bits of wisdom in the remaining one to two minutes. Doesn’t work. 

Give the editors and agents time to first consider your project, then ask for their wisdom. You’d be shocked to learn how fast editors and agents can tell if your project is right for them or their house. 

Years ago—when I was first breaking in—I had a fifteen-minute appointment with the acquisitions editor for a devotional magazine. After a quick greeting, I handed him a sample of my devotional writing. 

After forty-five seconds he turned and said, “You can write for us, we’ll get you a job.” 

He handed me his card and said he’d be in touch. The whole exchange was over in two minutes. 

The point is good editors and agents know what they’re doing. They have years of insight and wisdom. So tell them briefly what your writing is about; ask a question. Then shut up and listen. Repeat. 


Final Thought 

Be yourself. Not the pretend self. Not the one you think you should be. Not the one everyone expects you to be. Be the real, quirky, interesting, fascinating person that (trust me) is inside. It’s the easiest way to stand out.

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man's body. He thinks he's still young enough to water ski like a madman and dirt bike with his two grown sons, and loves to send readers on journeys they'll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He's the best-selling, Christy, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award winning author of seven novels as well as a professional speaker. During the day he runs his marketing company which helps businesses, authors, and publishers make more coin of the realm. He lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at www.jameslrubart.com

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Suffocation by Social Media

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author of Rapid-Fire Fiction. After twenty-five years of marriage, she and her hunky hero husband have a full life with their children, a Maltese Menace, and a retired military working dog in Northern Virginia. She can be found at:
     Website: www.roniekendig.com
     Facebook: www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction
     Twitter: @roniekendig
     Goodreads: goodreads.com/RonieK
     Instagram: @kendigronie
     Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/roniek/

Reviewers call Ronie's newest release, EMBERS, "Simply amazing!" 

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I have a confession: I'm easily overwhelmed...with social media. Sometimes, it feels like I'm being pulled in a thousand different directions by just as many platforms. While I *love* people, sometimes, it starts to feel like Suffocation by Social Media. And all I want is...OUT! 

VVolt N629 (ret)

The publishing industry has changed, and it's now expected of an author to "on stage" and performing to the crowds, so to speak. Some authors thrive on this demand for in-person engagement. Some of us feel like we're drowning. Don't get me wrong--I ADORE getting to know people, hearing their stories, learning about them. But I also have a family and children to homeschool, a retired military working dog that I can't shut up about, and--oh yes, I need to write. :-)

So, how can we not only survive, but thrive in this digital world? I scrounged up some tips to help. 

• Be There! - Today's readers demand interaction with their favorite authors. Most have come to feel its disingenuous for authors not to engage with readers, and while I agree to a point, we must also guard our time and energy for writing. So to avoid Suffocation by Social Media, schedule time to be online and choose one  (or two?) forms of social media that works for you, and Be There! 

•  Be A Champion! – We all had help in one way or another getting to whatever point we're at. Be that to someone else. Find an author or aspiring writer, and champion their journey. Be there for them. We all had help climbing the ladder, so reach back and help someone else climb. Not with critiques or whatever. Just cheer them on. I've been determined about this for the last couple of years. It feels so empowering and fulfilling to help others, to Be A Champion!  

• Be Authentic - Readers definitely want to know about your books--after all, that's how they probably discovered you in the first place. Because our readers want to engage with us, they love learning about you, about your life. Everyone needs to be careful what you share, but when you are smart about what you share, it creates an atmosphere of friendship and fun. Show readers glimpses of the real YOU. Be Authentic. 

• Be Protective! – Our family endured a frightening incident a few years ago when a woman ingratiated herself into my writing world through one of my social media accounts. She then friended my then-14 year old daughter. Next thing we knew, this supposed fan had my daughter’s full name, phone number, our address, and had put my daughter in contact with two older men.She then offered to “come and get” my daughter, if she wanted to leave home. What?!?!?! It happens, so be alert. Be smart. While it's important to engage, we also must be careful and remember that we have no obligation to share private information. So, be there, but Be Protective! 

• Be You! –  The amazing marketing guru, the Great Rudini (aka: James L. Rubart, author of the new The Five Times I Met Myself) once told me, "Ronie, the reason people will buy books is because they like you.” The last "you" could be replaced with "the author." The point: Relationships have to be built, and building requires engaging. So, talk to your readers. Find out what’s happening in their lives. Engage readers with questions like “what do you. . .?” or “what is your favorite. . .” This is an invitation for readers to not only get to know you, but for you to get to know them. And it's so much fun--just Be You!

• Be fun!! Don’t we all want to be there’s laughter and smiles? Then create some of your own. Have fun with those who are willing toe engage and the “party” will become contagious and draw others. Find what works. Be fun!!  

• Be Short and Sweet! - We live in a fast-paced world that demands information in tidbits, short and sweet. Remember, they're the same people upset when the drive-thru takes longer than 5 minutes. Messages longer than, oh say...140 characters, make their eyes bleed. Engage, but let's Be Short and Sweet! 

So there you have it. Being an author is hard work, but if you break it down into some bite-size pieces, it'll be manageable--and fun--and you'll practice good netiquette at the same time! 

Do you have a favorite tip to avoid Suffocation by Social Media?

Let us know in the comments, please!

* * * * *

"Simply Amazing!" 

Ronie's most recent release, Embers, is an epic fantasy adventure that  is wowing readers! 

HE'S COMING FOR THEM. AND THE KINGDOM.

Haegan and Kaelyria Celahar are heirs of the Nine Kingdoms, but he is crippled. What chance does he have against Poired Dyrth, the greatest enemy the Nine has ever faced, who wields fire with a power none can match?

Their only hope is forbidden: Kaelyria must transfer her fire-wielding ability to her brother. When she does, it comes at a terrible price and arouses their father-king's wrath. 

Haegan flees alone with two impossible tasks: Find a cure for his sister and stop the coming war with the omnipotent Poired Dyrth. 

BUY EMBERS NOW!

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The Most Powerful Word in the World

by James L. Rubart

“You want to know the most powerful word in the English language?” 

My friend Scott had a thin smile on his face when he asked me that question a few years back. 

“Love to hear it.”

“No.”

“No what? No you’re not going to tell me?”

“No is the word.” Scott turned and glanced at me as we drove toward his home in San Antonio, his smile now bigger. “No.”

He explained how saying no brings great freedom. How we’re pre-conditioned to say yes, even when our plates are so full all we can see is a mountain of food. 

“Sure! Toss another dollop of potatoes on my plate. It’s only seven feet high at the moment. I can handle.”

No, you can’t. I can’t. No one can. 

Scott talked about how we say yes out of obligation, or fear of rejection, because we think it will curry favor with people with more power. Or because we’re worried we’ll miss out—and a hundred other reasons. 

But the result is the same. Feeling like we can’t breathe.

New Year

We’re only three weeks into the New Year and I’m guessing many of us have already given up on keeping our plates clear. We've been reminded once again there are only 24 hours in the day.

Where Do You Need to Say No?

• To a critique group?
• Unsubscribing to all those newsletters you never read?
• Turning down a guest blog post?
• Saying no to one more Facebook group?
• Volunteering at a conference?
• Joining the PTA?
• Reading a manuscript for possible endorsement?
• Agreeing to look at a friend of a friend’s novel attempt?

Don’t misunderstand, each of those examples can be an excellent use of our time, but are we doing it for the right reason? Did we seek the wisdom of trusted family and friends? 

Did we seek God’s counsel on the choice? Did God tell us to say yes to all the things we’ve agreed to? Did we take time to ask him, or did we just dive in? 

Too often my mode has been just dive in. I haven’t asked the Lord; instead I’ve almost automatically said yes to things that sounded fun at the time, but later realized was not a house God was building. 

Remember, if we’re doing A, we’re not doing B. And B might be the better choice. 

Do you say yes more than you want to? Why? Have you discovered the power of no?

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man's body. He thinks he's still young enough to water ski like a madman and dirt bike with his two grown sons, and loves to send readers on journeys they'll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He's the best-selling, Christy, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award winning author of seven novels as well as a professional speaker. During the day he runs his marketing company which helps businesses, authors, and publishers make more coin of the realm. He lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at jameslrubart.com

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