How Are Things Going?

HOW ARE THINGS GOING?

I know it's been a long time since I wrote anything. I apologize for that. So I wanted to update you on some things that have been happening:

I have recently been working with a publicist who has been able to find me some interviews and reviews for the book. Such a great learning experience!

The Reading Bud - Interview With Mark Canniff

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. :)

In the meantime I'm currently working on book 2. (I'm at chapter 5 as I write this.)

I can already tell that the first draft of "When Night Has Fallen" is in much better shape than the first one.

I hope you'll like it.

I believe that I'm developing a team of people that I'll be able to go to as each novel comes along. Let me expand on it a little:

It is very important to have a:

Copy editor: Not all are created equal too, by the way. It maybe expensive but so worth it.

Proofreader: Awesome to have in your corner as well and a must. When you are looking for the above, see if they'll do the "proofreading". I think most will.

Developmental editor: This is new for me but I have found working with one really helps to "pop" the story out. They do not do spellchecks or grammar fixes. They are only interested in bringing out the best story that it can be.

Cover designer: Find a good one because they can really help you create an awesome look.

All of that can and will cost money. You might be able to find them in fiverr. There are some great people in there. Be sure to check out their reviews too.

That's it for right now. I hope you enjoy this post and have a great day!

Mark

Logline For Book 2 - I Need Your Help

LOGLINE FOR BOOK 2 - I NEED YOUR HELP

So I wanted to bring you up to speed. 

First of all I have elected to move away from the screenplay (for "Dream, Recurring"), so I can focus my efforts on bringing the series to you.

I think this is a wise course of action. I know my readers are looking forward to the series anyway and I felt I needed to take a step back from the script, so I can build these stories into something you would want to read. 

That being said, I have two major announcements today:

The official title of the book is:

When Night Has Fallen

The logline for it is:

Evil is back, growing stronger as each night falls. Sam needs help but Lucy doesn't see it. Realizing she's alone, there may be no way to stop it. This time the entire island is in trouble.

Let me know what you think? I'd love to hear your opinion!

I've posted it on my facebook page too so you can comment there if you want:

Mark Canniff's Facebook Page

Let me know what you think. I would love to hear from you.

I hope you have an amazing day and your weekend is awesome!

Mark

What Have I Learned About Writing A Book?

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED ABOUT WRITING A BOOK?

It occurred to me that I haven't documented what the process is for writing a novel.

So this post I will show you what I've learned thus far when it comes to the actual physical producing. 

Working the development in this way will help you to create clarity in the story. Once you get to the actual writing of the book, it'll go a lot easier.

Format for a novel:

Brainstorm                                                    (Pre-production)
Title
Logline
Tagline
Synopsis
General Outline

Manuscript:

1st draft                                                       (Production)

2nd draft                                                     (Post-production)
3rd (and final) draft

Proofread and final format

Copyright

Cover design front and back

Advertorial (for back cover)    Worked at the same time as "Cover"

Launch

Tomorrow, I'll start going into more depth for each one. This is the basic outline.

Hope you enjoy.

Mark

Recap Of 2016 Plus The Plans For 2017

RECAP OF 2016 PLUS THE PLANS FOR 2017

Well what a year 2016 has been for me.

I was finally able to publish my first book and begin work on the screenplay.

But what were my goals at the beginning?

Well, funny you ask. It's interesting how plans and Life seem to differ and what ultimately transpires is usually for the best...

This time last year I was hoping to have my book done and published around March-April. I thought I could push through editing quickly so I would move to the script. 

I wanted that done and working towards an Agent in Hollywood.

Because I still wanted to publish "A Grain of Sand" by the end of last year.

That's A LOT of work! Especially for a part-time Author.

It's funny now because I realize that that schedule was far too aggressive. I needed more time on the first book.

I needed to make sure the story was the way I wanted it, so you could enjoy it! Plus I wanted to say "yes, this was the tale that I wanted to tell".

By taking my time I can also make sure that the screenplay is done well. 

I needed help with it too, although I didn't realize it at the time...

In addition, I came to the conclusion that "A Grain of Sand" needed time to grow in my mind. When it comes out, I hope it will inspire people. 

I have a feeling that my writing will be headed in that direction...

It'll be a far cry from the "Island River Tales" series that is just now coming to life.

Anyway, I have learned many lessons along this road of publication. Plus, I am growing in the help I need to complete each project.

It truly is a blessing...

So what can you expect from me this year?

Well, the screenplay with be dominant, at least for a while.

I need to have that in a position where I can see headway, as it hopefully moves slowly into production.

We'll see.

I am fortunate to have my Mentor by my side to aid me along in this quest.

In addition, I want to publish "When Night Has Fallen" by the end of the year.

That will be the second in the series of "Island River Tales".

I have a feeling that those two projects are going to keep me busy. I am also working on connecting more with you, my readers. 

You'll see posts on my Facebook page which are more personal/inspirational.

I really enjoy making those connections...

Anyway, I think that is enough for now. It should help you see where my mind is at. My focus...

I hope you had an amazing holiday and that your year will be even better than the last!

Many thanks.

Mark

Update On Progress!

UPDATE ON PROGRESS!

Well, it's been a while since my last post. A lot has happened and I want to bring you up to speed:

After the last one, a friend of ours (my wife and I) discovered an article that my local newspaper wrote about me as a writer. It surprised us completely as I hadn't asked them if they would be interested.

It was a quarter page spread. Pretty significant and cool!

In it the piece discussed the screenplay as well. (Which caught me off-guard as I was just making the decision to write the other three books in the series before I began the scripts. "Plan B" had to go back to "Plan A" as I realized it's now out there.)

To be fair, it's what I have been talking about all along. So, not really shocked by it.

Even though marketing continues, the sales have gone "dormant" which is what I expect right now.

Activity is switching to the screenplay and getting that in the right hands. To that end I find myself with a mentor who works and lives in Hollywood. (I cannot divulge their name as I feel privacy is in order right now.)

But I feel fortunate to have them there to help bring it to life. With the right blessings, and hopefully finding the right people, the script might be able to turn into the movie that I dreamed about all of those years ago...

Once the screenplay is written and I'm in the editing phase, I'll begin pre-production on book two. 

The working title for the second novel is:

When Night Has Fallen

I think it's an appropriate name for book two. (Once I have the logline down, I'll post it here too, of course.)

Anyway, that should bring you up to date for right now. I hope your day is going great and you have an awesome week!

Mark

Some Movies Are Meant To Be Read

SOME MOVIES ARE MEANT TO BE READ

So I wanted to update you on the progress:

So far, so good. Sales are moving forward. Albeit at a slower pace than I was first thinking. However the marketing efforts are reflecting that.

I'm working on a limited budget so I do what I can.

Having said that, I'm starting to hear back from those that have read it (these are straight from my facebook feed):

"Incredible book Mark! I just finished. What everyone should have for a rainy day is a copy of this book to read. Hence I thought I saw something move out of the corner of my eye in the kitchen corner window box! AAH" - Kelly H.


"It was great!!!!" - Tera C.

(I'm not adding their full name here for privacy. However, if you look at my facebook you can find them there.)

I also have a review on Amazon (with another hopefully on the way soon).

So far people are responding well.

It's pretty cool. 

I'm just trying to find marketing that actually works well and that I can scale it up. 

(I'm going to do another facebook ad soon but I didn't have too many sales from this. Although I'm creating a post that will be more geared for the reader. So we'll see.)

The exciting thing is I'm on my way and I only look up. (Once I figure out what actually is bringing in good results then I'll know where to focus my attentions on.)

I love this!

Hope your day is going great and I'll talk to you so more later.

Mark

Dream, Recurring                                         Link to Amazon for the book

Mark Canniff's Website         My website if you want to learn more.

Launch Day!

LAUNCH DAY!

*Please Share*

It's finally arrived. The book is now available on Amazon to order. I'm giving you the link here for you to explore with:

"Dream, Recurring"

I hope you enjoy the story.

"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."

If you would like to check my website out for more information, please take a look at:

www.markcanniff.com

Have an awesome day and week!

Mark