Upcoming fun stuff and how much backstory to include in a series novel
Upcoming fun stuff: This Saturday (July 12th), I'll be joining the ladies over at The Book Smugglers for their "Chat With an Author." (The link will take you to their intro to the festivities for this weekend.) There will be cool prizes, and an interview where I tell how I got published, give tidbits of new characters in upcoming books, give a sneak peek at what I hope will be the ultimate fencing/fight scene between Raine and a new villain, and I'll also answer the question -- am I a Mychael or Tam kind of girl? ; )
In editing The Trouble With Demons, I'm finding that some of the things I'm fixing might help those of you working on your own books -- like how much backstory to include in a series novel. In her editorial notes to me, my editor Anne Sowards pointed out places where I got a little heavy-handed with the backstory, and it was slowing the pace of the book. I guess I felt that since I had two books that came before TTWD, I needed to bring readers up to speed. I did need to do that, but when adding backstory, there's a fine line between bringing readers up to speed and slowing the book down. Anne reminded me that all I needed was a quick "establishment shot" -- who Raine is, where she is, and what's going on. Then when events from previous books are referenced, I only need to add a line or two to remind readers about them.
Coming up tomorrow: For characters in a series book, what's the right balance between needed information and too much information? Coming up for the rest of this week and into next week, I'll tell you about things I didn't know until I was published like promo, where to get really cheap/free promo materials, tax write-offs, dangers of burnout, Amazon rankings, bookstore signings, and more.
And speaking of Amazon rankings -- If you've read and loved Armed & Magical and/or Magic Lost, Trouble Found, and have the time to do it, please pop over to Amazon and post a review. The more reviews a book has, the popular it's seen as being. Armed & Magical could really use some more reviews. Thank you!!
Lisa
In editing The Trouble With Demons, I'm finding that some of the things I'm fixing might help those of you working on your own books -- like how much backstory to include in a series novel. In her editorial notes to me, my editor Anne Sowards pointed out places where I got a little heavy-handed with the backstory, and it was slowing the pace of the book. I guess I felt that since I had two books that came before TTWD, I needed to bring readers up to speed. I did need to do that, but when adding backstory, there's a fine line between bringing readers up to speed and slowing the book down. Anne reminded me that all I needed was a quick "establishment shot" -- who Raine is, where she is, and what's going on. Then when events from previous books are referenced, I only need to add a line or two to remind readers about them.
Coming up tomorrow: For characters in a series book, what's the right balance between needed information and too much information? Coming up for the rest of this week and into next week, I'll tell you about things I didn't know until I was published like promo, where to get really cheap/free promo materials, tax write-offs, dangers of burnout, Amazon rankings, bookstore signings, and more.
And speaking of Amazon rankings -- If you've read and loved Armed & Magical and/or Magic Lost, Trouble Found, and have the time to do it, please pop over to Amazon and post a review. The more reviews a book has, the popular it's seen as being. Armed & Magical could really use some more reviews. Thank you!!
Lisa
posted by Lisa Shearin at
7:55 AM
2 Comments:
As always I will be looking forward to your next blog. Everything you post about writing is helping me (and others I'm sure) become a better writer.
I never thought about leaving a review for your books before but will do so right now. You are becoming one of my favorite authors.
Thank you, Joshua! : ) (for both comments)
Lisa
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