Six Sentence Sunday - Redeux (Is That Allowed?)

Snagged from the Internet by Denny S. Bryce

I'm greedy today, and want to post two for Six Sentence Sunday - I missed last Sunday, but think I can get away with a twofer because (well, who's gonna stop me...hehehe:) and they are from two different WIPs...


The first is my futuristic urban fantasy set in a world where vampires have a caste system, and humans are either rich or live in Tunnel City (beneath the streets of DC)...so here goes:

Casey plastered a smile on her face, grabbed her coat and hat from the back of the chair, and strapped on her weapons belt. “I look forward to continuing my work as one of the SAV’s dedicated public servants.”

“There is no need for acronyms or sarcasm, young lady," Dr. V shot back. "As the Council of Ancient Vampires’ chief psychiatrist, I will monitor your activities for as long as I see fit and when I am convinced you have recovered completely, we will discuss your contract.”

Casey's fangs dug holes into her lower lip, but she manged to bow and say, “Yes, ma’am.” Then she headed for the door with a clear realization she had to accept.  If her eternal life were to remain in tact obedience to the Council was her only option.

The second is from my Fast Draft WIP...not doing as many words a day as I had hoped, but still hanging in there, and enjoying the process...

Now for those who know me, don't be surprised, this is a contemporary WIP, and I'm in love with the hero, but he's not in these six sentences...

“Hold on one moment,” Max said, rising to her feet. “We have delivered on every aspect of an outstanding program, designed and implemented to attract the audience we both agreed were your prime customers. The campaign has already produced overwhelming results with more than one thousand new bank accounts opened in the South Side branch alone. New investors joined your community outreach team with an initial infusion of capital that reached over one million dollars...and you’re telling us we were fired in a letter?” Max pushed her tongue against the inside of her cheek to keep from unleashing designer profanities that would make her grandmother get out of her coffin and scream. (Is this 7 sentences, damn:)...

Six Sentence Sunday - I Found a New Game to Play!!!

Photo snagged from the Internet by Denny S. Bryce. Who the hell is this man?

Well scouring around the web, I discovered a fun way to clean up a few sentences and maybe even get some feedback:)...It's called Six Sentence Sunday, and I'm hyped! This is from a short story I need to finish:)...it's called Ghosts, and think Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, with a urban feel. Here goes...

Poppy Green hadn’t thought about being with a man in decades, although being a ghost was no excuse for being forgetful. Still, there was no reason under this moon or any other for her to consider having sex with Henry Taylor. Sure, he was a spirit like her, but he also was a good-for-nothing-son-of-a-gun. No better than the men she used to know before she passed. Back when any fool in a pair of trousers with a nice-sized bulge behind his zipper could trick Poppy into dropping her drawers. She just couldn't get pass those pants, or a set of round black eyes, sinewy muscles, rippling up and down his forearms, or a smooth brown body that glowed all sweet and hot on a summer's night.

My, my, my... 

Day 323: Still Searching for a Tag

Graphic snagged from the Internet by Denny S. Bryce

I've been on a quest to find the perfect tagline. That elusive phrase that summarizes all that there is to know about moi the writer and aspiring author. Why is it important since I don't have an agent (yet), or a book sold (yet)? Well, it's all about marketing in the new era of author as business owner (can I get an AMEN).

In this new age, you can't just sit back and rest on your laurels. You must create the foundation for success by getting on board the marketing train and tooting your own horn. You would think I could do this with my eyes closed. After all, I am a professional marketer. Have been for 25 years. But nope...and you ask why?

I've hit a brick wall.

I just can't come up with that clever catch phrase, and "I'm smart. I know things." (Think Godfather II, and you'll get the reference:)...But clearly I don't know as much as I thought about creating a brand for me (versus clients or even offering advice and creative to other authors and writers).

So, I've been doing my research, searching the Internet and visiting at least a 100 author sites, and here's what I've deduced.

1)  Once you hit the NYTimes Bestseller list -you don't need a tag line:)
2) If you write Urban Fantasies - you don't need a tag line:)
3) If you are a male author - you don't need a tag line (okay, this doesn't help me much, but it's what I got)
4) And with all of this said - I still want my freaking tagline...

What's your tagline and how did you come up with it?

And if you've got something left and can spare - toss it my way!

Day 355: What Makes Marketing Work?

Nine Inch Nails - The Perfect Drug, snagged from the Internet by Denny S. Bryce.

There are no answers in this blog about the value of marketing. Just questions and a big heap of joy! I'm in NYC for the RWA Annual Conference. I'm not at the host hotel. I took my check book (okay, plastic) down the road to the Hilton New York. A little less hectic and elevators that go up and down, not through the alphabet before going where ever it is that they go. It makes be feel empowered.

Nonetheless, I will figure out the Marriott before tomorrow's sessions begin, but right now, I think I'm suffering from jet lag and just need to rest my feet - but not before I post this blog!

I took a look at the workshop schedule, and as always the RWA does provide an impressive list of options. I have decided to become smarter about marketing in the publishing industry and have added a couple of workshops with that topic in the headline to my personal agenda. I also want to improve my scenes, and feel even more comfortable with what some call the 'shitty' first draft. So with those three goals in mind,  I'm ready to get my conference mojo on, baby...

If you are here in NYC for the RWA National Conference - what's your game plan? How are you going to maximize your investment? (hey, unless you got a free ride and have free room nights - this is a serious investment). If so, what workshops on the schedule make your mouth water? You've got to make it to this workshop or you will bust a gut! I want to know.

So far for me - it's Roxanne St. Claire's "how to mend a broken scene". I took it last year, and thought I had it nailed. Then four months later I faltered yet again.

But there are also many buzz worthy workshops to choose from. But my focus has to stay on the prize - and this time, I want to walk away to some serious insights into marketing, scene creation/development and writing the first draft. Other than that all I can hope for is that all of the workshops I want aren't scheduled in the same time slot...

Denny

356 Days and Counting - Okay I Missed a Day - But Only by 25 Minutes

Oddly Dirty Puzzle Pieces? Yep! Snagged by Denny S. Bryce from the Internet

There is no guarantee that I will blog daily for the next 350 odd days. It's just that after yesterday's blog I just had to write something - guilt is a bitch.

I'm in a quandary. I can't get a handle on my tagline...those perfectly crafted short phrases that we authors LOVE to use to hone in on our brand. Who are we, what do we write, how do we write it. The tagline gives the reader a short-cut on what they can expect beween the pages of that author's next (or last) book.

Check out the sites below. These writers offer solid examples of grabbing your 'author' brand and running with it.

Burning Up The Sheets - Robin Covington
Romance with a Bite of Humor - Loni Lynne
Paranormal Queen - Vivi Dumas
Romancing the Palate - Rebecca Lynn

My challenge with all of these sites, however, is that I'm jealous. I can't come up with a thing that makes sense about my writing like these women have. I know marketing. Twenty-five years in the business. Successful by many standards. But does that make me an expert on providing published and pre-published writers with insights they can tailor and use to give them the marketing results they seek?

As I go into day 356 of my journey, but really 355 since it's nearly 1 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday, the critical piece of the puzzle revolves around what will work to differentiate you and your writing from the massive number of competitors in the industry (who cares what genre you are writing).

What do I like about the four writers featured above - their tagline not only says - hey this is what I write or where I am carving out my niche - but they are differentiating their brand (their author selves) with a quick snapshot and phrase that tells the prospective shopper -- quickly -- what they will find in their stories - all except for Rebecca Lynn. She is establishing her brand identity by cultivating a following that blends her passions - food and writing -- using a very effective approach.

But for me, even my current phrase - The Science of Romance - misses the boat on delivering that message that rings in the ears.

So what is my tagline? I don't know yet. Maybe I'll find it tomorrow after writing my next blog.

In the meantime, tell me about your tagline? And why does it work for you?

PS: RWA Nationals tomorrow!!!

In the Groove: 357 Days of Writing...

"In the Groove" Copyrighted image by Salvatore Principe 2006-2010

I've been working a lot lately. Not writing, but doing the JOB (marketing events, products, you name it, the profession I've been in for 25 years). Good news, however, is that the huge JOB project ended (and I might add it was a success), and now I'm thrilled to finally get back to the JOB I love more than any other - writing fiction. The problem is my head is completely caught up in the project that has controlled my brain cells for the past three months.

So what do I do to get back in the writing groove?

Rely on the kindness of other writers. Yes, that's a major part of it. This week for example, I intend to get every inch of inspiration and focus I can at the RWA Nationals. From Tuesday through Saturday, I'm all about being a writer.
But that's just one piece of the puzzle. The challenge with the RWA Nationals or even my RWA chapter's retreat is that combined they take up only eight days of my year - so how do I get better control of those other 357 days.

Of course, it centers on my personal ability to be disciplined. But another key factor is still centered on those writer friends. At the WRWDC retreat in April a group of first-time attendees pooled their efforts to create an intelligent, fun, good read of a blog that offers excellent insights on the challenges facing writers and authors dedicated to their craft. Check out the Waterworld Mermaids. There's also a lot of fun there, too.

Another group called the Preternaturals (formed at Savvy Authors) will launch a group blog this summer, but in the meantime, many of the writers in the group support each other in any number of ways, helping to get the word out about new book releases, current projects and blogs, etc.  Some of authors in the group with current releases include Louise Bacio and Vivi Dumas, and Lani Rhea's blog is very hot, too.

So, that's my Day 1 of 357 days. After writing this blog, I actually feel like I'm getting in the groove.

Give me a little history with that Inspiration, please...

Image snagged from the Internet by Denny S. Bryce

Before settling in to get some sleep, I decided it was time to blog and the topic that is on my mind is history. I don't know what it is about the past, perhaps it's just the energetic young man who was my history teacher in 10th grade. After all these years, his class is still my favorite and most memorable.

History just has so much imagination. Sounds odd, but often when I find myself researching a story I am inspired by an event from the past. Or a historical figure who I usually bend into a character that often ends up the villain.

History is filled with unspeakable horrors, but also fascinating revelations and technological advances. But it is also the mystery and the magic of historical fiction that intrigues me. Years ago, I devoured Leon Uris, E.L. Doctorow, and even read some epic James Michener.

Now, it's my playground for make-believe or answering the 'what if' question.

NOTE: You'd think I'd write about the image I snagged, shown above. It has nothing to do with history unless it was science fiction or fantasy. But isn't it bizarre?