Writing Tips and Tricks

Frequently, I receive inquiries regarding my writing approach. However, I will not be delving into that topic in this section due to spatial constraints (ha). Nevertheless, I have compiled a compilation of references that have significantly influenced my writing progress. I am always open to conversing about writing and the art of storytelling; feel free to reach out to me here.

There are two important points to keep in mind. Firstly, the following resources are primarily geared towards the writing of fast-paced and suspenseful commercial fiction, as I am an author in the thriller genre. Secondly, marketing fiction is a completely different challenge. I have briefly shared my thoughts on book marketing at the end of the list.

Best Five Sources:

The content of this book and its accompanying materials had a lasting impact on my writing process, taking me from feeling lost and directionless to being able to construct a compelling thriller. It delves into a detailed analysis of the structure of The Silence of the Lambs, breaking it down into acts, sequences, and scenes.

The publication can be found on the website of Amazon: Amazon

The online platform known as The Story Grid is a website that offers a variety of resources for writers.

#2 – The Book “The Writer’s Journey” by Christopher Vogler

The concept of the hero’s journey, popularized by Joseph Campbell in his influential book The Hero with a Thousand Faces, has been made more accessible by Christopher Vogler in The Writer’s Journey. I often incorporate the themes from this body of work into my writing, including the title of the fifth book in The Russian Assassin series which is directly inspired by the hero’s journey. Interestingly, the six-book series featuring Max Austin also follows the hero’s journey, with Max facing adversity in book five and ultimately returning with the elixir in book six to conclude the saga.

As I write, this is the only book that remains on my desk.

The Book can be found on Amazon.

#3 – The Battle Against Resistance in Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art

Consistency and effort are crucial elements in effective writing. It is essential to sit down and write, even when feeling fatigued, moody, or tempted to watch Netflix instead. The mind often tries to hinder progress and employs various devious tactics to promote laziness. According to Steven Pressfield, this is known as “resistance.” In his highly recommended discourse, Pressfield presents strategies for overcoming the ultimate opponent – oneself.

On an annual basis, I revisit this book.

An honorable mention is given to another well-known book by Pressfield, titled Turning Pro.

The Book titled Amazon is available on the Amazon website.

#4 – Seminar on Storytelling by Robert McKee

Many fiction writers struggle to understand the importance of storytelling, while screenwriters inherently grasp its significance. Without a strong story, all other elements of writing become irrelevant. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly study and master the art of storytelling before focusing on anything else.

The first time I was introduced to Story Seminar was through the movie Adaptation, which was based on Susan Orlean’s book The Orchid Thief. The exceptional Spike Jonze film, written by Charlie Kaufman, features Nicholas Cage as Kaufman himself as he struggles to transform the book into something suitable for Hollywood. In his battle against incorporating clichéd Hollywood elements to satisfy the studio executives, Kaufman attends McKee’s Story Seminar (where McKee is portrayed perfectly by the talented Brian Cox).

If possible, attend the seminar. Otherwise, read the book.

The Story Seminar website can be found at https://mckeestory.com/seminars/story/.

Get your hands on “The Book” by purchasing it from Amazon.

Book #5 – The Da Vinci Code written by Dan Brown

According to some, there are two distinct periods in the realm of thriller literature: the time before The Da Vinci Code and the time after. With the introduction of his novel, Dan Brown revolutionized the pace of suspense fiction by immediately launching Robert Langdon into a race against time in the very first chapter. Langdon must unravel a mystery, clear his own name, and prevent a catastrophic disaster from unfolding. While other thriller novels may have similar elements, Langdon’s relentless pursuit continues until the very end. There is little focus on the ordinary world or character development, and certainly no moments of introspection. This book epitomizes a true page-turner, having sold over 80 million copies, and it has forced thriller writers to reconsider their approach to plotting and writing.

For your own benefit, create an outline for this book. This will help you learn how to incorporate plot, pacing, conflict, character, setting, theme, and structure into a cohesive and exciting story.

For just $15, you have the opportunity to enroll in Dan Brown’s MasterClass, Dan Brown Teachers Thriller Writing, as a special bonus. By signing up for a one-month membership on the website, you can access his class and subsequently cancel your membership.

The publication titled “Amazon” can be found at the following link: https://amzn.to/2XsU8Dg

Additional Resource: Editing Tools

In “The Last Draft: A Novelist’s Guide to Revision,” Sandra Scofield provides valuable insights for writers on the process of revising their work.

This book was given to me by my editor, who has been in the big publishing industry for 30 years and has a traditional approach. Despite its old-school nature, as a writer who values storytelling and craftsmanship over strict grammar rules, I frequently refer to this book for guidance.

Scofield’s approach involves examining the scene, exposition, and narrative and posing critical questions, such as identifying the main character, the events that take place, and the significance of the story. She encourages writers to create summaries of their novel, allowing them to analyze the overall and individual story arcs. This tool serves as an analytical instrument disguised in an academic facade. If Coyne represents the tough construction foreman with his steel-toed boots, hard hat, and chewing tobacco, then Scofield can be likened to a think-tank intellectual in a cutaway blazer, sipping a martini.

The included resources, such as sample scenarios, storyboarding, and scene templates, are valuable enough to justify the cost of admission.

The Book: Amazon

Noah Lukeman’s The First Five Pages

According to my editor, Lukeman is a highly respected literary agent and ex-editor from New York who is constantly overwhelmed with work. In his book, he aims to captivate readers with the challenges and struggles that he and his colleagues face while sifting through countless piles of subpar manuscripts that arrive on their small desks every day. He emphasizes that they are too busy to interrupt their leisurely three-martini lunches to read beyond the first five pages of any submission.

One quote that I particularly admire from the book is located in the introduction to Part 1. According to the author, a skilled writer has the ability to create a remarkable piece of writing without relying on a strong plot. This statement serves to highlight the fact that some writers tend to focus too much on developing their plot rather than perfecting their writing style. While this may be true in some cases, it is important to note that a piece of writing does not necessarily equate to a complete story.

The book offers valuable perspective on the often thankless lives and thought processes of the individuals who act as gatekeepers in the publishing industry. Within its pages, you will gain knowledge on proper manuscript formatting, the removal of adverbs, writing dynamic dialogue, and the importance of showing rather than telling. Despite my sarcasm, I appreciate Lukeman’s ability to not take himself too seriously. I found the tidbits of publishing history at the beginning of each chapter to be enjoyable and informative. This book is a great resource for understanding the unpredictable factors involved in the publishing process and revealing the true forces behind the scenes.

The Amazon book is available for purchase.

Marketing for Books

Unfortunately, I receive this inquiry more frequently than inquiries about writing techniques, which disappoints me. It is typically the question of “I have written a book, how can I increase sales?” My initial response is usually “improve your storytelling,” which is not always well-received and often ends the discussion quickly. However, if you have already invested your heart and soul into creating the best possible story, here are my four best strategies for boosting book sales, along with two valuable resources for book marketing.

Note: As an independent writer and publisher, this guidance is tailored towards courageous individuals who are interested in self-publishing.

Step 1: Professionally Edit Your Book

Unless an author is David Baldacci, they are unable to thoroughly edit their own books, even with the four or five self-editing stages taught by Scofield. However, it should be noted that Baldacci himself utilizes the services of a professional editor. Despite having sold over 100 million books, he still relies on the expertise of an editor.

A certain unnamed independent author, who served as my inspiration for writing in my chosen genre and self-publishing, has recently begun compromising on the editing process, presumably in order to increase the frequency of his book releases. Regrettably, this has significantly impacted the quality of his writing, to the extent that I can no longer bring myself to read any of his works.

Having a well-crafted story and high-quality editing are crucial elements in making your book stand out from the rest. Effective editing can lead to positive reviews on various distribution platforms, ultimately boosting book sales. Furthermore, the editing process can also serve as a valuable learning experience in honing your writing skills. Personally, my editor has greatly improved my abilities as a writer, and I am grateful for her guidance.

The cost of professional editing may seem high and the process may not be quick, but it is important to view it as an investment in your business. By investing in yourself and your final product, you will ultimately be more satisfied in the future. Additionally, your readers will be more likely to stay engaged and interested in your future works.

#2 – Author a Second Book

In the world of independent publishing, there is a common belief that the most effective marketing strategy for a book is to write another one. Whether we like it or not, the publishing industry is driven by numbers. A single book is likely to go unnoticed, and readers may view the author as uncommitted. They may hesitate to invest their time in a standalone book, knowing that they won’t be able to continue following the characters they enjoy. Both the Amazon algorithms and readers themselves are likely to overlook a single book.

Imagine it as shelf space. When you enter the Basalt Library, how would you search for a book? Most likely, you would first check out the new releases and best sellers section, which features well-known authors with multiple books. Then, you might explore the aisles in the genre section. Would your attention be drawn to the extensive collection of Stephen King books or to the lesser-known author with only one book tucked away in the stacks, barely visible?

To attract more sales, it is important to produce high-quality books and write them in a series that will engage readers and make them invested in the characters.

Step 3: Obtain a High-Quality Cover Design from a Professional

It is surprising that I must reiterate this, but unless you possess the expertise of an award-winning graphic artist, do not attempt to create your own book covers. Instead, save some money by cutting back on Starbucks visits and invest $500 in hiring a professional. Designing a cover for a fiction book requires a specialized skill set that you may not possess. I can attest to this from personal experience. However, there are exceptions such as Erik Carter, who writes the fantastic Dale Conley Thrillers set in the 1970s and possesses this skill set in abundance.

I highly recommend Damonza as I have personally used their services and can vouch for their speed and excellent quality.

Perhaps Erik could create a cover for you, but I have a feeling that he may ask for a significantly higher fee than $500.

Number 4 – Payment Required for Participation

In our current society, advertising plays a significant role. If you visit Amazon and search for books, you will see that the “people who bought this also bought that” section has been replaced with “sponsored products,” which are essentially advertisements. Even my accountant is alarmed by the amount of money I spend on advertising. It’s worth noting that James Patterson, who was previously an advertising executive, purchased television ad slots for his books even before it became a popular practice. As a result, his book earnings in 2016 were $95 million.

Running a business requires a certain mindset and approach. Investing in your business is necessary to generate profit. It’s important to move past any reluctance and focus on promoting your books effectively.

Additional Resource: Book Marketing Tools

Podcast – Writers, Ink

I really enjoy listening to Writers, Ink, a weekly podcast that covers various aspects of writing such as techniques, mindset, productivity, and insights into the publishing industry. The podcast is hosted by J.D. Barker, J Thorne, and Zach Bohannon, who not only discuss current publishing news but also conduct interviews with different writers. What I appreciate about this podcast is the balance between traditional publishing topics and independent authors, making it a valuable resource for all writers. The hosts have also managed to secure interviews with renowned authors such as James Patterson, Dean Koontz, and Gillian Flynn.

Occasionally, I tune in to listen to the enjoyable conversation between the trio of hosts.

The Creative Penn – Online Platform & Audio Show

The top global source for promoting independent books is the website, podcast, and training materials provided by Joanna Penn – the always optimistic and exceptionally intelligent founder of The Creative Penn. It should be noted that her last name has a double “n”. Simply brilliant!

Begin here to access the reliable reference on promoting books independently.

Training and Podcast by Mark Dawson’s Self Publishing Formula

One of my sources of inspiration is Mark. According to legend, he used to write his novels while commuting to and from his job in London. By the time he reached his thirteenth novel, he was able to leave his day job and focus on writing full time. Currently, he is known as a ‘million-selling author’ and manages a website known as Mark Dawson’s Self Publishing Formula.

The most analytical author is known to prefer working on his vast spreadsheets for Facebook ads, Amazon ads, and Bookbub tips rather than focusing on his fiction. His knowledge of Amazon algorithms is so extensive that he is often consulted by Amazon. Together with his partner James Blatch, he offers various courses and podcasts on areas such as author list building, self-publishing basics, and author advertising.

The brand is facing a challenging situation as there is no set formula for success in this game. The only way to make progress is through extensive research, writing, self-learning, and determination to persevere through long days and nights.

With that being said, Mark and James are highly competent and your investment with them is worthwhile.

Russell Blake’s Blog: Bonus Three

Russell Blake is a unique figure in his own right, encompassing the roles of a thriller author, self-publisher, and collaborator with the unstoppable Clive Cussler. Within the realm of indie commercial fiction, Blake is known for his blunt and truthful opinions, making him a sort of “truth serum spewing curmudgeon”. His personal blog is a candid and unapologetic platform that doesn’t shy away from speaking the truth. On his Facebook page, it seems that Blake has carefully selected and curated a collection of libertarian views meant to spark discussions and disagreements. He is famed for his ability to produce a staggering 5,000 words per day and release eight to nine novels annually, a feat that places him at the forefront of indie-publishing success.

Check out his blog and keep up with Blake as he speaks truth to authority.