Ocean Bubbles Hello! Hello! I am excited this week! My schedule is full and I'm having to block out time to dedicate it to my different jobs. When you work from home, you never really leave your job. So when you get a half an hour you are overcome with guilt about the four "rush" … Continue reading The Journey to a Bestseller: Essential Scenes in Every Story- Part Six (Series #18)
Hey everyone. I didn't get any writing done this week. Isn't that terrible? Shame on me. But, I did spend that time doing writerly things. Okay, I was making swag... but someone's gotta do it! I have the cutest swag, too. What is swag? Mirriam-Webster says, " The freebie swag, sometimes also spelled schwag, dates back to … Continue reading The Journey to a Bestseller: Essential Scenes in Every Story- Part Five (Series #17)
Good day everyone. Well, it's night, but you get the idea. I've been writing this week about the second pinch point, or second battle. In the story, I have the MC happen to meet the crazy king who tells him that the people he thought he was responsible for killing, are actually prisoners in the … Continue reading The Journey to a Bestseller: Essential Scenes in Every Story- Part Four (Series #16)
Hey guys. Pretty simple post today. I was busy with client work all week and haven't had time to write a thing for myself. But, I don't want to keep you from learning about the story structure, so let me talk about the part I will be writing this week. I believe last week we … Continue reading The Journey to a Bestseller: Essential Scenes in Every Story- Part Three (Series #15)
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Hey everybody! Sorry I'm late this week. I've been a busy bee. I recently made new covers for my books because they weren't selling well. And those buyers were not rejecting my book based on context, they don't even know what my book says. They were scrolling through the books, … Continue reading The Journey to a Bestseller: Essential Scenes in Every Story- Part Two (Series #14)
Happy weekend everybody! I just did the stupidest thing. I had some very important emails from a publisher, and they were getting lost in my overflowing email box. So I made a new folder. Then I put all my important emails from the publisher in them. THEN my email told me that the file couldn't … Continue reading The Journey to a Bestseller: Essential Scenes in Every Story- Part One (Series #13)
Hello. Sorry I'm late this weekend. I've been busy. Learning how to do more book marketing and structure. Enjoy every single moment. That's what my calendar says for today, and it's true. Writing the novel is the journey. You know how they say it's not the destination that's important, but to enjoy the journey? Well … Continue reading The Journey to a Bestseller: First Novels and My New Covers (Series #12)
Good day, friends! I have been super busy this week. I am editing the third book in the trilogy, and I have been using some techniques taught by Liz Pelletier, at Entangled Press. She is an editor that I really admire and she teaches the standard three-pass edit system. If you are interested, I found … Continue reading The Journey to a Bestseller: Writing Books That Sell and Editing Like a Pro (Series #11)
Hello folks! I know. That title is like, whaaa? Those things don't go together at all! Well, you're right. So let's get to it. I am doing great. I went to a small writer's conference in Topeka, KS this morning and got three free ARCs (Advanced Reader's Copies) of some fantasy books. One was a … Continue reading The Journey to a Bestseller: “Chapter One” and Twitter Pitch Events (Series #10)
Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com Hi guys! It's been a busy week. I finished the second draft of my client's manuscript during the day; and worked on my book at night. Just in case you are new to this blog, I am writing a bestseller...or what I am going to do try my best … Continue reading The Journey to a Bestseller: Word Count, Character Sheets, and Kindle Reads, oh my. (Series #9)
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Hello everyone! Despite a week packed with things to do, I was super productive and it feels so good. As I said last week, the writing of our "bestseller" is on hold for another month or so (I told my betas they would get it sometime in September). So, we … Continue reading The Journey to a Bestseller: Padding the Plot and Punctuation (Series #8)
Today I want to share with you the one fact in writing: something else will come up when you are trying to write a book. For you it might be something like an emergency home project that simply needs to be done, or you could have a school paper that you must do. For me, … Continue reading The Journey to a Bestseller: “Something came up” and Writing Descriptions (Series #7)
I haven't even written in my WIP this week. No word count change. Ugh. I told you that you could catch up to me this week. Yes, I have a new client who needs me to read, but I have spent my time on my trilogy these last few days, so I can give her … Continue reading The Journey to Making a Bestseller: Beta Readers (Series #6)
These days are flying by! I missed both my blog and my newsletter this weekend. Ugh. I hate being late. I am an early person. If I'm on time, I feel late. It's a thing. Photo by luizclas on Pexels.com Anyway, I found this great site called Inkarnate where you can make your own fantasy … Continue reading The Journey to Making a Bestseller: Maps and Writer’s Block (Series #5)
Photo by Rakicevic Nenad on Pexels.com Sorry about the weekend everyone! I was out of town for the week in small town Oklahoma and I had no reception at all. It was awesome. Fishing, and four wheelers, and fireworks, and paddle boats, and zip lines, and swimming, and hard lemonade... aah. Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric … Continue reading The Journey to Making a Bestseller: One-third Done (Series #4)
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I started writing my manuscript five days ago. I plotted the heck out of it, wrote out a directory of scenes, though not as detailed as I usually do. I've got two tabs (on my laptop) open constantly: Synonyms and Steampunk images. One of the things you want when writing … Continue reading The Journey to Making a Bestseller: The First 20K (Series #3)
Here it is, ladies and gentlemen... RELEASE DAY for The Queen's Heart is TODAY! The Queen's Heart is the second book in the Freedom Fight Trilogy. Ready to pick it up? Click here> The Queen's Heart Want more information? Read on... This book is in the same world as The Key of F, with the … Continue reading The Queen’s Heart Release
Photo by Janko Ferlic on Pexels.com Hi everyone! This week I sat on a publishing panel for writers at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, which was the most impressive library I've ever seen. It's not only full of books and beautiful architecture, it has great conference rooms, a gift shop and a cafe... and … Continue reading Get Published: Questions from a publishing panel
Hi everyone! It has been a crazy week. That's one of the good things about being a writer with a self-imposed deadline-- some weeks go out the window and that's okay. I did discuss my fully laid-out concept to my writing group and they have all given me the seal of approval. As well as … Continue reading The Journey to Making a Bestseller- Research (Series #2)
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I spoke last week about an epiphany I had when I realized I was showing other authors how to get published and the things I have learned from working in the publishing business, but doing things my own way. I have decided to take my own advice and write my … Continue reading The Journey to Making a Bestseller: Concept and Planning (Series #1)
Photo by Burak K on Pexels.com This was a hard question. It's completely subjective. The hardest part for me might be your strength. That's why the writing community exists, and it needs to. Authors need to help each other with our own expertise. I wrote my first book with my (30-year) best friend. But when … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Twenty-eight: What’s the hardest part of publishing for you? (Twitter Series #8)
How do I get started on a bestseller?
Te Solvo By Jennifer Haskin “I am special. I am loved. I am worth it.” Milo repeated the words from his self-help podcast, and absently straightened his suit coat. There were a few tiny clouds dotting the sky and the bright sun beat down on his head as he ambled along the sidewalk. People bumped … Continue reading Part two of this week’s blog: Te Solvo (A novelette by Jenn Haskin)
What can I do/say that will get me an auto-rejection to my query? What other mistakes can I make in publishing? These are normal questions for authors. The publishing world is such a mystery, it can feel like walking in a field of land mines. No one knows where to step. I believe once you … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Twenty-Six: Common Mistakes and Automatic Rejections (Twitter Series #6)
Photo by JJ Jordan on Pexels.com Many of the questions I received asked things like, “Are you interested in disabled protagonists?” “Will you take YA fantasy without romance?” And “How often do agents/publishers take a chance on an out-of-trend book, hoping that it’ll make a trend?” First of all, agents are always hoping to find … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Twenty-Five: Do You Take my Genre? (Twitter Series #5)
Twitter question: Is it normal to be able to write a WIP happily for hours but to get major league writer's block when trying to write a summary/synopsis? Absolutely. Many of us struggle with this one. Authors think that they are moving from the creative task of writing a fictional work into a strange uninhabited … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Twenty-Four: Summaries and Synopses (Twitter series #4)
Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com How do I find the right agent? I was asked this question by several people and I wanted to spend some time on it. I was also asked the process of a manuscript from being written to getting published, so I plan to explain how to find the right agent … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Twenty-three: Finding the Right Agent/Publishing A to Z (Twitter Series #3)
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com The first question for this post is: Why query at all? I must say, this one stumped me. I even googled it and found no articles explaining why we query. The simple fact is publishers use agents to filter readers like coffee grounds. I’m not saying it is a bad … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Twenty-two: Why Query at All/ Commercial vs. Literary (Twitter Series #2)
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I recently had a friend ask her Twitter followers what one question you would ask an agent if you could. I was surprised at the answers. I thought they might be akin to the blog posts I had been writing, but they centered around, "Why don't you love me?" and … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Twenty: How Do I Get Representation? And Five More Questions (Twitter Series #1)
"Keron found a small campsite nearby and gathered sticks together, having Fale light a fire. She felt powerful that night for some reason, standing on the mountain top, facing the moon and the endless ocean. She spread her arms out wide and let fire spray from her palms into the rock ring before her. She’d … Continue reading Introducing: The Queen’s Heart- Cover Reveal
Photo by Nick Demou on Pexels.com I overheard an author friend of mine the other day learn to take the word “that” out of his writing and I was surprised he hadn’t heard this before, as we’ve been in writing groups together for several years. So I thought I’d make this week’s blog about words … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Nineteen: 28 Words to Cut From Your Manuscript
MARCH 10, 2019 · 1:26 AM↓ Book Review: The Key of F by Jennifer Haskin This week’s I Love Romance Blog review selection is The Key of F By Jennifer Haskin. With paranormal and sci-fi elements, this full-length novel is a great read. Fale, who is as down-to-Earth as she is incredible, begins a journey to find … Continue reading Guest Blog Review of The Key of F- review by Kevin Ethan
I want to answer this question thoroughly, but I hope not to step on too many toes. If I offend you, please feel free to comment. Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com First, there is no course, no test, no certification to be an agent. This is not known to all aspiring authors. There are bad … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Eighteen: How Do I Choose My Agent?
The story arc, also called the narrative arc, is the journey of a story and its characters from one way of life to something completely different. It is defined as the change that takes place between one cover and the other. Arcs are stories with characters that make life changes that take them from weakness … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Seventeen: What is a story arc and do I need one?
I am often asked if I have marketing ideas... Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I have a few. Too many to list here. I am currently making a table of websites used for author/book marketing. It's going to take me a while to fill out prices, requirements, and need to know information. I may post … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Sixteen: Sixty Marketing Ideas
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I was recently asked, when should an author stop querying a project and move on to the next? Great question. The answers you get will be subjective. Meaning, everyone has a different answer and no opinion will work for everyone. Just like you can't get everyone to like your book. … Continue reading Agent Questions Fifteen: When to Stop Querying
My personal writing struggles...
Hey guys, sorry, it's been awhile. I need more publishing questions to answer on this blog. So help me out writers, if you would, and please tell me your biggest questions. Or even your little ones. What could an insider tell you that you want to know? Got a new logo. What do you think? … Continue reading Help needed. Oh, and a contest. Yay.
When do you start the process of getting an agent? What should my expectations be? In my opinion, when the book is fully written, then you begin edits and research for an agent. There are different ways to do this. One, you can look up http://www.manuscriptwishlist.com, http://www.mswishlist.com, http://www.querytracker.net, etc. Search Google. You will be … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Fourteen: When to Get an Agent
I quit smoking after 32 years. I was a light smoker, but I enjoyed the taste. And the relaxing rush of serotonin that never failed to calm my nerves. I quit mid-pack. I put it in my safe and promised myself I would not buy a new one. Yay me. Right. I have done great. … Continue reading For YOU. For Everyone. You need to read this, or you know someone who does.
“Although the story has promise, I just didn’t connect with the voice. It needs to be stronger. It’s a pass. Sorry.” As an agent, I pitched books to acquiring editors at publishing houses. Rejections came concerning connection of the story itself to the editor, but the one I see the most regards voice. So, what … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Thirteen: All About Voice
Question: I write YA. How do I know what to steer away from? Answer: The following YA tropes The Brooding loner that no girl can resist OR perfectly handsome Protagonist full of angst Rebellious princesses- or clumsy princesses with weapons skills that beat the evil master. Inauthentic dialogue- overdoing slang, dumbing-down, including trends, preaching moral … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Twelve: 30 Tropes To Be Aware Of When Writing YA
This week's author question: What is a pitch? What exactly goes into a pitch, how do you pitch, and how do you decide whom to pitch? As far as a "pitch" goes, let me try to explain. When an author wants to hook an agent, they write a query letter. But when an agent wants … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Eleven: What is a pitch? How do you pitch? And to whom do you pitch?
Do I need more than one bio? Writing an author bio is a daunting task. How do I do it? What goes in it? How long should it be? That all depends. They are widely different, but a writer actually needs three versions of their author bio. A long, or extended, version for your website, … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Ten: Just how many author bio’s do I need?
Hi all! Please excuse my lack of post last week. I will have another volume of Agent Questions very soon. I do ask that you send in more questions! I feel like I have over-run several subjects, but there are so many to choose from, I like to have choices that are relevant to you! … Continue reading Apology~ish
How to write a query letter- or the Haskin Query Formula See the query letter as many things. It is the hook to woo your potential partner in the publishing business, it is partly that blurb that you need to have memorized when someone asks you what your book is about, it is also the … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Nine: How to Write a Query
ARC REVIEW: The Key of F, by Jennifer Haskin FEBRUARY 26, 2018 OLIVIA @ PURELY OLIVIA2 COMMENTS Hello lovely readers! Today I’m here with a very exciting post- a review of The Key of F, a thrilling Young Adult fantasy that I was lucky enough to get an ARC of. This is my first ARC to review for … Continue reading Purely Olivia’s Review of The Key of F
What’s the number one thing I can do to get published? What’s your best piece of advice? Authors ask these two questions the most. Interestingly enough, they have the same long answer. But in short: Strength. Have you heard the words “strong” manuscript yet? If you’re a writer, you will. Why? That’s what agents … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Eight: The Number One Thing You Can Do To Get Published
Comp Titles “Comp” titles, or comparable titles, are often requested or required from agents in their queries. Mostly, I believe, because comp titles are important to publishers. Unless it is required, you do not NEED to have comp titles in your query. Let me be clear here, even if you don’t research and find comp … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Seven: What Are Comp Titles and How Do I Find Mine?
7 DO’s for Writer Success The bad news is that some writers begin their literary careers doing all the wrong things. How do you know if that’s you? Well, the good news is that making mistakes is important and even beneficial to moving forward. You are going to make mistakes, the question is, are … Continue reading Agent Questions Volume Six: 7 Do’s for Writer Success
