DAY THREE
(For My New Readers:)
It is my hope that as you read this blog, reading the "behind-the-scenes" as it were, you not only enjoy the ride but maybe, just maybe become inspired to follow your own dreams.
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream. Revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
(Today's Post:)
A lot was done in this session. I made the changes that my editor noted (my loving and amazing wife) and corrected the "said's". This puts me in a good place for this weekend to fix the duplicates.
I'm hoping that I'll be in chapter three by Monday. (Back to working mostly six to seven days a week. Lol.)
The quicker I can do this, the faster I can ultimately get the countdown started and finally in your hands.
On another note, I've been learning about marketing that has been really helpful for me. The resources that I'm using I will say later as I gather them all up and work the launch the best way that I know how.
Essentially it goes something like:
Try and have book clubs read it. Hopefully they feel inspired to write a review. (Plus anyone else who wants to read it.)
Then market the book after that. (The importance is to have some reviews because almost all buying decisions will be from those reports.)
For that to happen I will also want my website up and running before the book is in the hands of the initial readers.
I figure I could do a "pre-launch of the ebook a week or two before the actual launch of the POD novel.
I know I'll be busy for the first month after the manuscript is available for sure. :)
Anyway, I hope today finds you well and I look forward to talking to you on Monday.
Mark
DAY TWO
(For My New Readers:)
It is my hope that as you read this blog, reading the "behind-the-scenes" as it were, you not only enjoy the ride but maybe, just maybe become inspired to follow your own dreams.
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream. Revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
(Today's Post:)
Great news, chapter one is as far as I can go for right now. I am going to do the grammatical checks and final formatting last, after everything is done.
On to the next one starting tomorrow. I'm not surprised at that pace because there isn't the kind of overhaul that I needed to do in the last draft.
In addition I just learned that a tagline would be good to have so I created one:
The only ones that know these secrets are dead.
I like it. Short and sweet. I'm going to test it out today. See what kind of reaction I get. Let me know what you think?
Anyway, progress is good and going as it should. I think it'll look really great when it's all said and done.
I look forward to talking to you tomorrow.
Mark
THIRD AND FINAL EDIT DAY ONE
(For My New Readers:)
It is my hope that as you read this blog, reading the "behind-the-scenes" as it were, you not only enjoy the ride but maybe, just maybe become inspired to follow your own dreams.
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream. Revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
(Today's Post:)
Okay, first of all I know it's been a while. I'm sorry. I had my birthday on Monday and decided to take that day off from everything and yesterday was a busy day for the book but I didn't have a chance to write anything.
I'm counting today as day one for the third and final draft. There are a number of things I will accomplish with this version. Some of those items include:
*Making the dialogue sound more flowing. (This is for the first eight chapters. Basically removing the word "said". It's an overused word that needs to change. :) )
*Ensuring that my Editor's notes are incorporated.
*Searching for duplicated words that I missed from before and changing them.
*Grammatical check.
*Final formatting.
The method here is to perform the first three changes before I put it though a grammatical check. Final formatting will happen at the same time as the grammar.
Once that's done it's on to be copyrighted by the Library Of Congress.
Then I can submit it to be proofread.
If all goes well, I should be looking at beginning the marketing campaign after that, which means countdown will start.
I hope your day is going really well and I look forward to talking to you tomorrow.
Mark
WEBSITE
(For My New Readers:)
It is my hope that as you read this blog, reading the "behind-the-scenes" as it were, you not only enjoy the ride but maybe, just maybe become inspired to follow your own dreams.
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream. Revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
(Today's Post:)
Okay, sorry about yesterday. I was working hard at both the synopsis once again and the sales copy. Today I added some things on the sales copy and continued planning the website.
At this point I'm realizing that I will release the site when I have locked down the sales copy and have the cover for the book.
That being said I won't release the that information here until I know I have it.
However, I can show you what I'm thinking about my site:
HOME:
I have the latest story shown on the front. If it isn’t available, display the release date and show the description (Sales Copy or “trailer”) of it along with the cover. Also my twitter and facebook page links here too.
ABOUT ME:
This is where I will talk about me (in the third person). The reason for this is it comes across more professional.
BOOKS:
This is where all of the links to Amazon will be for all of my novels. I might show up and coming projects here too.
CONTACT ME:
I want to have a form where people can feel free to write to me directly. It will not show my email address but it will go straight to it.
MEDIA:
This is where I will show any links to newspaper articles (interviews), podcast links or videos where I’m talking or there is news to share here. (From the media, not my blog.)
BLOG:
This shows the latest post from my blog here. I will also have a general link to the site but the focus will always be the most current one.
So those are the categories that you will see on the website, with what I'm thinking I'll have in them. I hope you like. :)
I hope you have a great day.
Mark
SYNOPSIS AND SALES COPY
(For My New Readers:)
It is my hope that as you read this blog, reading the "behind-the-scenes" as it were, you not only enjoy the ride but maybe, just maybe become inspired to follow your own dreams.
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream. Revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
(Today's Post:)
So the synopsis is edited to my satisfaction. I think I did pretty well there. This will be used if anyone (from a professional perspective, for example the one that assists with the cover design) needs it to help create that for the book.
However, I also worked on the sales copy. I'm going to edit this tomorrow and I should be able to show that here. I hope you like it.
I'll also get started on the website for sure tomorrow. :)
Cutting it close, I know but I really want to make sure I have what I need for the rest of the project.
This is the beginning of where all of the pieces start to really come together. Once the countdown really gets underway I will be solely focused on building momentum every week.
The hope is that people will become more and more excited the closer I get to launch.
We shall see. I really hope so. :)
Anyway, I hope your day is going great and I look forward to talking to you tomorrow.
Mark
SYNOPSIS
(For My New Readers:)
It is my hope that as you read this blog, reading the "behind-the-scenes" as it were, you not only enjoy the ride but maybe, just maybe become inspired to follow your own dreams.
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream. Revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
(Today's Post:)
So it had to be completed. The synopsis that is. Which I now have done. I'm just going to edit it tomorrow and I can move on to the next thing - the sales copy.
I discovered that I could write that from the outline. At least something for me to have as a basic, as I learn how to write that too.
That would be shorter and hopefully draw you in to want to read the novel.
Once that's done, I'll begin the work on the website. I'm hoping to have that up and running by the beginning of next week.
The thing I'm noticing is all of this learning that I'm doing. I know the process is pretty cool and I think I'm showing what it takes to write even a single book but my hope is that once I've done this for my first one, I should be able to duplicate it for the rest.
When that happens, I can summarize for you exactly the steps I took so if you actually want to write your own novel, you can follow what I've learned as a self-publisher.
Anyway, I hope your day is going amazing and I look forward to talking to you tomorrow.
Mark
SYNOPSIS AND MARKETING
(For my new readers:)
It is my hope that as you read this blog, reading the "behind-the-scenes" as it were, you not only enjoy the ride but maybe, just maybe become inspired to follow your own dreams.
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream. Revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
(Today's Post:)
Well, I'm starting to write my synopsis. While I won't be able to put it here (because it has to reveal the ending), I will post the sales copy when I have that written. This will be visible on my Amazon Author's Profile. Something else I learned is that I will create that once my book is published on there.
So why write the synopsis if you are going to self-publish?
Great question. One that I began pondering today, in fact.
I feel that it still will be a great exercise because I have to learn how to write them anyway and I never know if someone (beyond my readers) will ask for one.
A logline is not normally seen in this industry, they usually go for the short description. The outline which is the synopsis.
I'm finding it a good process, even if I'm a little slow at it. :)
You mentioned "Marketing" in your title. Can you elaborate?
Yes. I began putting a list together of all of the places that I'm going to utilize when I reach my launch window. The idea is, I need to be able to cover: Promotion, Book Clubs and hopefully Podcasts to get the word out.
My Author's profile on Amazon will have the book's sales copy and description of the novel along with other essential items.
Twitter, Facebook, my website and here will also be on that list of course. However, most of the actual "marketing" will be done by others.
That is what I will really need at launch - other people drumming up interest by what they do. (It's better if it's not myself. Self-promotion is kind of tacky in my opinion. :) )
By self-promotion I mean something like this:
My book is out! Come take a look on Amazon and buy it! It's an amazing read!
Sure I'm going to say "it's an amazing read" - I wrote it. I'm bound to be a "little" bias. Lol.
It's better to see something like this:
(A Paranormal Book Club wrote:)
Mark Canniff's book: Dream, Recurring is out for sale now on Amazon. He has been able to craft an excellent paranormal mystery that will have you guessing until the end.
Obviously I just wrote that to show you the difference. It also shows that they read it and actually might have written a review on the novel too.
As a reader, I'm more than likely going to check it out based on their word, not mine.
I personally think it shows better professional quality from my end. :)
Anyway, I look forward to talking to you some more tomorrow.
I hope your day is going great!
Mark
DAY SEVENTY-TWO
(For My New Readers:)
It is my hope that as you read this blog, reading the "behind-the-scenes" as it were, you not only enjoy the ride but maybe, just maybe become inspired to follow your own dreams.
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream. Revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
(Today's Post:)
So I reviewed the last five pages of chapter thirteen and printed them up. Lisa now has the final sections of the second draft.
I believe I have served this story well in this version and I look forward to beginning the third and final draft.
In the last rendition, I will cover the minor changes that she has found, grammatical checks and finally just make sure the formatting is where I want it.
Then I will copyright it with the Library Of Congress. A HUGE milestone at that point!
I love that thought!
I'm also excited to create my website. The aim of that will be a place you can go to learn more about me. Have the links to all of my books that I offer. Have a link to the blog, of course. Be able to sign up to become a subscriber where you will receive a weekly update. Finally anything else I can think of.
My thought is to keep it simple and functional. The less complex it is, the easier it will be to download.
So simple is better.
Anyway, I hope this day has you in good spirits and I look forward to talking with you on Monday.
Mark
DAY SEVENTY-ONE: SECOND EDIT COMPLETE
(For my new readers:)
It is my hope that as you read this blog, reading the "behind-the scenes" as it were, you not only enjoy the ride but maybe, just maybe become inspired to follow your own dreams.
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream. Revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
(Today's Post:)
Well, the second edit is done! Woohoo!!! What an amazing ride. I've discovered that I can write much faster than the first draft. (That took me about a year and three or four months.)
This one took just over three months.
Wow, what a difference!
Now what?
Great question! What I'm going to do tomorrow is review the past five pages to make sure this is the ending I was looking for and then print it up.
I'll be able to hand the final batch to Lisa (my wife) who is doing the editing and I'll begin next week in construction of the website.
It is my hope that by the end of that week I'll be able to have it go live and also have my profile up on Amazon too.
During that phase I will write the synopsis as well.
Finally returning to my third and final draft beginning the following week.
Can you expand on what you were talking about yesterday?
I absolutely can. In fact I wanted to cover some of that today, thank you for asking.
The question is, how can my writing process help you realize YOUR dream?
Let's face it, not everyone wants to be a writer.
If you look at what I am actually doing, as I go through all of this, you should notice that I see my vision and I'm breaking it down into tiny progressive steps.
In the case of a novel, I have to be the one to do this. No one is really going to write this for me, and that's how it should be.
However, if I really think about it, most of my effort is because I WANT to do this. It is easy for me to do one step then the other. Especially now since I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.
The reality is that if you want to pursue your dreams, a good first step in the process could be:
"Define Your Dream"
That is, really have a sense of what it would be like to do it. To BE it. The goal there is to simply FEEL good.
You do not have to be specific. You can be but you don't have to.
For example, let's say your dream is to be rich. That's great. So you decide "I want to be a millionaire".
Perfect.
However, you also want to be more accurate. So instead you say: "I want to have two million dollars".
That's fine but it might be easier to say something like: "I want to be financially free".
Now THAT would work even better.
Why?
Because you can wrap your head around BELIEVING it much better.
What I mean is that if you only earn, say $50,000 a year, could you imagine having $2,000,000 a year?
Can you see how your belief system might be able to at first but the long haul might bring doubt. If that happens you will push it away.
Being "financially free" in this case might simply mean $500 more a month. Could you imagine that?
Once that goal happens, continue the goal of financially free but maybe with a little larger target.
The point is to work on "small moves". Baby steps as it were and it will happen.
So long as you "Feel Good" about it.
Anyway, in this example you should be able to see that you can apply it to anything. Just remember to begin small. You need your confidence to build.
Starting with something as simple as "feeling good" for the day, or whatever, might be your starting point.
Begin small and allow experience to show you the way.
This is how it is happening for me. I do this because I CHOOSE to. I am at that point now where everyday I'm absolutely convinced that this book will be really well received.
By the definition above, that is all it can be. Not because I'm egotistical and think that I have delusions of grandeur. Rather the Universe is helping me to put these pieces together so it can only be that.
And I'm listening.
This is what can happen to YOU.
Go live YOUR dream, not someone else's!
I hope you have an awesome day!
Mark
DAY SEVENTY
(For my new readers:)
It is my hope that as you read this blog, reading the "behind-the-scenes" as it were, you not only enjoy the ride but maybe, just maybe become inspired to follow your own dreams.
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream, revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
(Today's Post:)
Well, I will be done with the chapter tomorrow. I've already let my editor (my amazing wife) know that the rest of the book will be coming her way. However, I told her that I will be printing out the section on Friday. Mainly because I want to make sure that the last five pages look descent. For that I always sit on it for twenty-four hours.
That works for me because it's amazing what a pause like that can do for a book.
The ending is different than the first. Even after I realized how little I'm keeping of the original.
So what is my process of the actual writing?
What I do is I write, usually just three pages each day. Then the next day I review what I just wrote for any basic editing changes and continuity before I write the next three pages.
In this way, the chapter can be written in seven days of producing. Remember each section is twenty pages in length. ("Producing" is the actual act of writing.)
So that means if I only write Monday through Friday, then those "seven days" actually means something like this:
If I begin a chapter on Monday, then next Tuesday I will be done with it and ready to go to the next one on Wednesday.
If I don't have any real breaks (besides the weekends) then a two hundred and sixty (260) page novel would normally take me about four to five months to write the first draft.
(For me I will always have thirteen chapters and twenty pages each one.)
This doesn't mean that's how it's going to look when I'm done but the thirteen sections will always be there.
It does mean though, I have a structure for which I can calculate my "production".
That to me is key for tempo.
What does that mean for me, if I'm interested in writing a book?
Well, however you decide to write, what that should hopefully show you is that it can be done and it's performed in small stages. Don't look at the whole story everyday. Once you have your outline, refer to it when you need to but just focus on your goal for the day. Make that target small and before you realize it, you'll have your novel.
I hope you have an amazing day.
Mark
DAY SIXTY-NINE
(For my new readers:)
It is my hope that as you read this blog, reading the "behind-the-scenes" as it were, you not only enjoy the ride but maybe, just maybe become inspired to follow your own dreams.
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream, revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
(Today's post:)
Well, three more pages. Good job thus far. Moving at this pace will see the major editing completed on Thursday.
This overhaul is not the end of the changes being made but it will only go faster the next time round.
I will have the new version which actually goes back to the original concept. This means that I won't have to spend that much time on each section.
That is definitely good news.
As a side note: I have learned a better way to begin the next novel.
The process that I will employ is this:
Title
Logline
Synopsis
Treatment (of the three acts)
General Outline
Book
This will cut down on any extensive overhaul later and see an even better manuscript appear.
Anyway, I hope your day is going by very well. I'll talk with you tomorrow. :)
Mark
DAY SIXTY-EIGHT
(For my new readers:)
It is my hope that as you read this blog, reading the "behind-the-scenes" as it were, you not only enjoy the ride but maybe, just maybe become inspired to follow your own dreams.
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream, revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
(Today's log:)
Well, I was hoping to get quite a bit of work done over the weekend, however, that really didn't happen. Lol.
I have to say that I really enjoy taking the time off. Plus, when I think about it, the book now has it's own rhythm. Monday through Friday.
Which I know that this week I will have the last chapter rewritten and that excites me.
Beginning next week I should begin the process of constructing my website. I'll take that week to do just that, which will give me a short break from the writing and editing.
I will also make sure that I get my profile up and running on Amazon. (I will need it if I'm to have my book for sale there. :) )
I think, if I can I will also begin work on the synopsis. My hope would be that I have that done so I can use that if and where I need to.
(I'll show it here, when it's done.)
Anyway, I hope you have an incredible day.
Mark
DAY SIXTY-SEVEN
It is my hope that as you read this blog, reading the "behind-the-scenes" as it were, you not only enjoy the ride but maybe, just maybe become inspired to follow your own dreams.
(For my new readers:)
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream, revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
Well... I overslept. Ugh. Lol. I didn't get as far as I wanted to today but I'll make up for it on the weekend.
Fortunately, as I'm my own boss, I don't have someone coming to me writing me up because I'm late. That's definitely a plus when it comes to this. :)
However, I still moved it forward. Plus I am just about halfway through. I think it's looking good so far.
It's Friday here so that means I'll talk to you again on Monday.
I guess I don't have much to say today because I really didn't get very far. Lol.
Mostly I hope that I'm helping to show you that it really is possible to follow your own dreams. :)
Anyway, I hope you have a great day.
Mark
DAY SIXTY-SIX
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream, revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
Great day today. Almost halfway through the chapter. I'll be well past that point tomorrow. Woohoo!
Looks like when I'm complete with this second edit that I'm going to take a week off and create the website along with my profile on Amazon.
Doing this will help me get started on the marketing of the book in earnest and begin the building phase, moving closer to launch.
Once that's done, I'll go back to editing and do the "third draft" which will be the final process.
In that I will make sure that the last of the changes are done, from my amazing editor and do grammatical checks too.
It will take much less time to go through all of that because there isn't the same amount of work to do. :)
At that point I'll copyright (with the Library of Congress) and ask a proofreader to check it out.
It should be in great shape I look forward to that too!
I'll finish the cover and begin the countdown.
Once I'm in "Countdown" there will be thirteen weeks before I release it. Each week I will produce the first two pages of each chapter for you to read right here.
I will also be in full "marketing" mode as I finally begin the audience building.
I hope you are enjoying this ride as I move my first novel to publication. What a ride!
I hope you're having a great day!
Mark
DAY SIXTY-FIVE
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream, revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
So I missed yesterday. Sorry about that. I had to take care of a few things.
Chapter thirteen is underway, well and truly. I love the beginning of this last section and think that it will serve the story very well.
I know I write the logline on every blog post I do now. Which is unusual for a novel. However, I've found that it is a quick and easy way to give you a description of the story that is shorter than the synopsis.
This will be available when I describe the book on Amazon. I think you'll enjoy it. (I hope.)
It is interesting that I'm utilizing a tool that is used in the film industry all the time and realizing that it is useful here. It's kind of cool.
What is a "logline"?
It is the one or two sentences that describe a movie. In essence it's the "what is it?" or as I like to call it, the "hook".
No matter how you think of it, the logline has to do a lot in it's short length. Essentially if a Producer sees it, they want to read the line and be able to "see" the movie.
The same goes true for the audience. I can't be there for everyone, as the writer. So what this does is it allows you to read what I would describe to you in the flesh.
If you think about it, this makes perfect sense to create the line in the first place.
If I'm talking to you about my project and you ask the question "what's it about?" If you're being honest, you probably don't have time to listen to the synopsis.
However, you would have time to listen to one or two sentences (most likely).
That's why I thought it would be good to use. Plus it's shorter and has to capture your attention. Which I think it does.
Having said that, once it's up for sale on Amazon, then it absolutely will have the synopsis because then you will want to read more details.
At least that's how I'm thinking of it.
Anyway, I hope you have an amazing day.
Mark
DAYS SIXTY-TWO, SIXTY-THREE AND SIXTY-FOUR
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream, revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
This weekend was huge! I have finished chapter twelve and now have the editing notes inputted and formated the last section!
I'm giving myself a full seven days once again from tomorrow to make sure the ending is worthy of a book that you would want to read.
Remember this is the second draft. The third and final draft has yet to be done. However, the changes are minor in comparison.
I realized that this is like writing three novels in one because of the changes taking place. It's awesome for me as I get to make sure that it's a good story that I think you'll like and it is the tale I wanted to say but couldn't all those years ago.
I hope your day is going great and I look forward to talking to you some more tomorrow. :)
Mark
DAY SIXTY-ONE
Title:
Dream, Recurring
Logline:
Cynical by nature, a photographer discovers that she's haunted by a being after she starts having a recurring dream, revealing a secret that only the dead know - with the entity bent on keeping it.
Well, today is Friday! Woohoo! That means I'll catch you up on Monday but I have to say that today was a great day.
I'm almost halfway through this chapter. Sometimes it's slow going as I figure out the new storyline but I'm getting there.
I look forward to the countdown which will begin fairly soon.
I think timing is everything and I honestly feel that I will be able to launch this with good momentum. (I hope.)
All the while you've been following this progress too.
Just a recap on the plan:
When I reach the beginning of "countdown" I'll be posting the first two pages of each chapter here on my blog for you to read. I'll do this once a week.
Then once all thirteen have been posted, I'll launch the book.
You and I should be able to get an exact date just from the release of each section. However, I will make sure that I say it over and over again as to when it's actually happening.
Anyway, I hope you're day goes great and I'll talk more to you on Monday.
Mark
