End of Year Post.

I began this blog on August 25th, 2010, without a clue of what to write, but in a couple of months it developed into marketing tips for writers, publishing resources, and inspirational posts. But, have I helped anyone?

The blog has been viewed by readers 780 times since its inception, spending an average of 2 minutes 03 seconds each, logging 2,429 page views. These statistics make this blog worth my while.

Yesterday, I watched Julie & Julia, a blogger who was bored to tears with her government job and had to cling onto a blog for dear life. Her idea to cook 524 different recipes from Julia Child's cookbook in 365 days and to blog about the challenge made her money, a movie, and a book deal. Could this be a possible scenario for me? Every writer likes to think so!

Next year, my blog will be more competitive, more challenging, more nosy and commanding than ever. I invite you to click for daily ideas on How to Become a Published Writer. "One Day at a Time" currently posts two times a week, but with my self-imposed goal, I am committing to more posts per week and want you to start telling me how I am doing.

Have you started a blog yet? Now is the time!!!

ElenaMartina 12.31.10

Out Loud - Poem

The angry wind is blowing on my face,

and the sun has forgotten how to shine.

The coldness of my frustration dwindles

and turns my life into ice.

The light at the end of my tunnel

is the train coming at me.

The end of my rainbow

is the bottom of my fall.

Tell me what to choose

as I know not what to do.

Show me what I should do best

as choice is what I know least.

Running helps a little but

it always comes back to haunt

every time at the corner's end.

Palpable pain is

avoidable for awhile,

but remains vividly in my head.

I do not cross bridges anymore

as I do not want to be found.

It will take immense power to jump

and the instant I let go, regret will occur.

ElenaMartina 12.29.10
(For D.T., who gave away his Bible in order to do the unthinkable.)

New Year's Resolutions for Writers.

I may not do all the things I want with my time, but for the last four years I have been writing a yearly list of resolutions with shockingly positive results.

Early 2010, I wrote that I wanted to write a book. The literary project took ten months and editing has added more time to the deadline, but "Clinging To Deceit" - a story about two families planning the arranged marriage of their children comes out in 2011 through AuthorHouse.

Most people do not like to think about New Year's resolutions because they fail to commit or discontinue their lists after a couple of months. I also have done that, except now I discovered that committing to myself gave me a new way to see and shape my future. Putting the focus on me became stronger than the task. Does that make any sense to you? So for 2011, a book written by many poets will be my next project and will be titled: "Poems Unleashed."

I have publicly asked writers to submit poems and I am looking forward to printing the new project. What literary goal would you like to commit... to yourself?

ElenaMartina 12.28.10

Disappointing Meetings...

Have you ever attended a meeting where you did not learn anything new? I reserved a seat at a "Business Plan" orientation, and arrived early to talk to the speaker, which I did. I then strategically sat where I could easily leave if it did not satisfy my curiosity, and started to observe the dynamics of the room and attendees.

The different types of chairs, and the wires hanging from the ceiling for the computer presentation made me feel as if the place was the presenter's last resource for location. Once the lights were dimmed, the reflection on the blackboard made reading difficult from where I sat. From that point on, everything else started to bother me, the cold air from the opened door, the late comers interrupting the presentation, even the scruffy hairdo the presenter sported.

He went on to talk about "How stress levels affect business plans." He was totally unaware how his room dynamics (and messy hairstyle) was stressing me out; it seemed to be his "Do as I say, not as I do" moment.

When I was asked to introduce myself, I made certain to connect with other attendees by passing out business cards (I was the only one who did), then left after an hour and a half as I was not learning anything new and felt that the environment was robbing my Feng Shui.

I choose business presentations or networking meetings where I can learn something new, sometimes my plans fail, but it does not stop me from trying again because I always connect with people. Looking back, three attendees and I are now acquaintances through Facebook and LinkedIn.

No bad gathering fails 100% when you connect to network later. Keep that in mind!

ElenaMartina 12.24.10

Ask for Forewords

I read in Jump Start Your Book Sales that a writer should request forewords from people and include them in their publication. It is a daunting thing to ask peers to critique your work in hopes of receiving a decent or fantastic foreword.

Four people were approached when I finished my last chapter in the book: a published author, a TV personality, a newspaper publisher, and the president of a writers club. Within a week, two people agreed to do it, one declined because he felt he was not qualified to write a foreword, and the other asked for more information. Whether or not I receive their forewords on time is another issue, but so far my book may depend on three people willing to give me their best and sincere opinion.

Let us make clear that "Clinging To Deceit" is my first book and it is not a contender for the Pulitzer prize. Nevertheless, I am delighted to have written it, and whether or not my critics like it, the book goes to the AuthorHouse Publishers in 2011. Their forewords may turn out to be a nice addition to my book or my biggest regret, but it all depends on their kindness.

My message is simple: Do not feel afraid to ask! It is all worth something at the end.

ElenaMartina 12.21.10

Poems Unleashed!

During one of my 2010 Christmas parties, a writer by the name of Richard Allan Burns and I started talking about poems. I mentioned that I had been trying to gather poets to contribute a poem or two each, so I could publish them alongside my own, but unfortunately, no one had come forward.

When the party ended, and people were gathering their things, he made his way through the crowd and offered me his own published booklet of seventeen poems as a gift. I was delighted. His action surprised me and I found out that he had printed it himself (with Kinko's help) and titled it: "Fine Lines of Mine." I asked him to autograph it for me, and he wrote: "To Elena, Keep the writing going. Best of luck, Richard A. Burns." I was touched.

He expressed that I could pick any poem I liked, and include it in my upcoming book of poems. I was again delighted. At home, after reading them all, I decided on two poems, "Could It Be? and "My Wife's Ghost" to be included in my upcoming "Poems Unleashed" booklet. Later on, I searched his website and saw his work: poetry-booklet and discovered that I was already following his site! I was amazed.

I asked him to become my Facebook friend, and he obliged. We will be united in prose alongside other poets that have now suddenly appear to provide their work to me. Just the other day, a racy poem written by Sheri Southern was submitted, and I am looking forward to more from others.

Do you have a poem you wish to publish with other poets? Let me know!

ElenaMartina 12.17.10

Submiting your Work in Competitions

  
     Participating in writing contests may just be hope thrown into a wish basket. Winning a contest that accompanies multiple entries makes your chances almost nil, but should you still enter? I asked myself that question last month, while reading an ad calling for poems 32 lines or fewer.

    
     Are my poems good enough to win? Am I willing to send one or two samples and be judged? Will I feel humiliated when I receive a note saying "your entry did not make the finals"? I had made up my mind, I could never go through this possible ego slap.

     I thought..."There is no way that I am sending my creative prose only to be rejected." But this quickly changed when family and friends encouraged me to go for it! (it is true that encouragement leads to courage -hence the word) so I am entering the Writer's Digest Magazine call for poetry! I paid the $15 fee for the first poem, and $10 for an additional one.

     I am now encouraging you to do the same. Take a leap of faith in your work, and be prepared to accept failure. The process of submitting your work and the subsequent wait is worth your while. If I do not win at least a mention, I may daydream of an imaginary blue ribbon I put on my gutsy self.

     As the old adage goes: "You can never win, unless you play!"

ElenaMartina 12.14.10

Another Workshop or Conference?

How many workshops should you attend? As many as you need!

I have attended a few workshops and feel that now I can be selective in choosing which to attend. I recently signed up for the best selling author Dan Poynter's workshop: How to Write, Publish, and Promote your Book. and intent to learn a few new things about promoting my upcoming book "Clinging To Deceit."

Is the expense an issue? It is for all of us!

I was told by another author that after attending a few workshops and networking, she volunteered her services. Now she attends some of them for free. Her advice is key to my next move because I cannot continue paying for all of them. Next one costs $645 (a 3 day conference), and offers the chance to pitch your book to NY and CA agents at the: San Francisco Writers Conference.

Would you really have the chance to network? Of course!

Bring your business cards, your manuscript or a published book (if you have it), be ready to pitch well, and have a positive attitude. It all takes practice, so go for it! Keep in mind: It takes money to make money. Your career will thank you for the opportunity and experiences.


ElenaMartina 12.10.10

Are you networking or simply connecting?

     I am noticing a trend between writers who network: it has turned solely into connecting with anyone without any real "work" attached to the partnership. Is the need to gather as many followers, friends, or subscribers under your blog, page, or tweet so important that you forget the meaning of true networking?

     We know that numbers mean a lot for a writer's platform, and to be considered someone of value in the literary world, but are those numbers real or is it simply to please your agent and some publisher? Unfortunately, it may be both. 

     Last month, I befriended a fellow writer who paints. A self-proclaimed international artist who posted that he had trouble selling his paintings and self-published books. When I approached him to partner up for next year's community fairs and rent a table together, he snubbed the idea.

     I understand that not everybody will say "yes", but I had proposed a valid marketing venue. If you complain that your books are not selling, partnering is key!

     If  someone at your professional level asks to partner with you, do not snub them. It might be the only opportunity you get for networking with that person.

Note: To work with me, simply send an email or write a comment below! ~ I am open to good ideas.
OnlyElenaMartina@aol.com

ElenaMartina 12.07.10

Blog Piggybacking

     Do you subscribe to blogs who do not give much advice, but asks you to click on someone's blog for it? I call that blog piggybacking, and I do not enjoy them.

     Generally, blog posts are short, sweet, and to the point. Why not directly offer advice? Piggybacking on someone's hard work is simply wrong. It is truly annoying to read a blog that tells you to "click on so-and-so," who gives the actual advice.

     I get the "professional mention" to others, but if a blog is basically piggybacking others efforts, then don't bother following them.

     I enjoy blogs that talk directly to the public, giving advice and/or counseling about issues, so if you have a blog, come up with the idea and the answers to whatever you are blogging about. (Mentions are great, but don't make your blog all about that...)

ElenaMartina 12.06.10

The Santa Cruz Sentinel Photo Contest

"Hawaiian Sunset"

Photograph submitted to The Santa Cruz Sentinel photo contest. -Voting takes place Dec.12 to 15-  I was in Hawaii when I shot this picture, Waikiki beach to be exact. Click on the link to vote! Thank you!
~ Link: "Hawaiian Sunset"

...Have an Event...

     I have approached businesses and asked if they could hold a book event for me; I have had some successes, but more let downs. Those that decline are generally  franchises that are governed with regulations and paperwork for you to fill out.  Self-promoting your "masterpiece" is crucial to selling your work, so don't be shy about approaching a store manager and offering to do an event for them.

     Some stores help only local artists or writers. If you don't live in their area, don't even ask for the favor. It is sad, but true. Don't feel disrespected if they take your purchases, but not your event idea. And do not make a scene, the workers are potential buyers too, do not give them fuel to talk bad about you, or what you are there to sell.

     Booking your own events is commendable and you should be proud. Stores will not come knocking on your door for your products. You are your own manager, spokesperson, and marketing adviser. Feel confident and go for it!

ElenaMartina 12.03.10