Five ways to use social media to support your creative work

What is especially wonderful about the new world of social media — the world of blogs, Facebook and Twitter — is that you can use it to fuel your creative spirit, find confidence in your own voice and make connections with others who are creative and artistic. It is liberating because you no longer need someone else’s “permission” to publish. Instead, you can upload your photographs and video work to your Facebook page, share your quick thoughts and views through your Twitter tweets, meet other writers and artists through online groups, and market and sell your work at your own online store.

In the past year or so, I’ve become increasingly interested in how to energize my writing through my social networks. By creating a Twitter account for Pepper Morgan, the main character in my book, for instance, I made her more real to me. When she tweets that she is lounging poolside with a martini, shopping in downtown Palm Springs or trying to evade a potential killer, those characteristics become part of who she is. I have a separate account for my mystery-writing self in addition to my regular self.

I’ve also seen some very interesting ways that other writers and artists are using Twitter to market their work. Some have actually tweeted their books, unveiling the plot in 140-word entries. Others have had virtual book tours, meeting their fans and potential readers through online Twitter sessions. Others have created fan pages for their work through Facebook.

Here are five ways I suggest using social media to support your work as a fiction writer.

1. Publish yourself to find your voice: By starting my Mysterious Musings blog, I invested in my voice as the author Kelly D. Palmer. And it was a huge step toward taking myself seriously as a mystery writer. My blog makes me realize that I am already a writer whether I get published in a traditional fashion or not.

2. Tweet your main character to make her real: Pepper Morgan is real to me, in part because I, her author, get to read her tweets. There she is interacting with people, having opinions, trying new things. She has a voice that is different from mine. She is her own person.

3. Build a following through Twitter, Facebook and  your blog: I follow many writers on Twitter. When they write about facing writer’s block or having a plot breakthrough or celebrating publication, I feel more invested in their success. I become a more loyal reader.

4. Support other writers — and get their support — virtually. The best thing about my blog is that other writers have commented on it and have shared their own experiences. That has been an awesome boost for me. In turn, I hope I can support my writer and artist friends with my enthusiasm and ideas.

5. Market your work before and after publication. Every once in a while I google “Kelly D. Palmer” or “Pepper Morgan” and hope for a few more hits. I also watch my stats on my blog to see if I’m picking up more visitors. I have a long way to go but I’m making progress on establishing my brand as Kelly D. Palmer, the author of the Pepper Morgan mystery series. And, best of all, I am having fun marketing my work .

I would love to get more ideas from all of you. How has your blog helped you as a writer? How have you used other networks, such as Facebook, youtube and Twitter? How do you use social media to support your creative work?

Good morning from the California desert!

I just had to share this image from La Quinta, CA. Good morning!

What I learned at the Oregon coast

I had this wonderful vision of myself tapping away at the laptop keys at the rental house in Manzanita, Oregon, but that’s not what happened. Instead I wandered the sand by the ocean in the early morning and in the evening, both alone and with friends, and became totally and completely relaxed. It was like a year of commuting, job upheavals and daily concerns were caught up in the coastal winds and carried deep out to sea.

Yes, it would have been good to be really productive and get a lot written of the Pepper Morgan mystery. But it actually felt more important just to be in the moment, thinking just a little about Pepper as I walked amid the seagulls and swallows, watched dogs romp through the waves after tennis balls, and listened to the children playing at water’s edge.

And I did learn — relearn! — a few lessons:

– You really can’t worry about outward appearances. At first I was rather dismayed when my hair went flying madly about, quickly losing its forced straight style. I looked like some sort of sea creature with curls. And then I drenched my pants in sea water. I looked crazy … and free. I decided to let go of the need to look presentable and to instead enjoy the freedom.

– Everything is fleeting. It’s fun to watch children build their sea castles but how quickly they are taken back to sand by wind and water. They are there and then they are gone, just like everything we create. That’s why the meaning is in the process, not in the product. It’s the creation of the sand castle — and the creation of every story and poem and drawing — that endures.

– Keep your eyes open for the surprises. One morning we looked up in the beach house to see a doe in the front yard. Minutes later, her dappled fawn joined her and they wandered down the quiet road. I saw them later, playing in an open lot. They might have visited every morning but we only saw them once. I’m glad we had our eyes opened that day.

– Enjoy friends and memories. On that first night, there were four of us friends and we had fun making pasta, drinking wine, petting the dog and chatting.  It was a reminder of all the good times, too, that I have had on the Oregon coast with my family, friends and relatives. It’s such a special place.

So here’s to many more gentle and creative walks on the beach … !

 

Manzanita, Oregon

 

 

What are you willing to sacrifice to write?

In her wonderful book, “Pen on Fire: A Busy Woman’s Guide to Igniting the Writer Within,” Barbara DeMarco-Barrett includes a chapter about the sacrifice writers make to pursue their work.

DeMarco-Barrett writes in that chapter about her own decision to give up more lucrative work in public relations and focus instead on writing that was meaningful to her. She says: “I’ve never wanted to turn back, despite the lower pay. And I’ve never wanted to be one of those people who, at the end of their lives, or before, regret what they didn’t do, try, or experience.”

And, she points out, being a writer or any kind of artist usually does not go along with a high salary.

So I’m thinking hard about this. What sacrifices — financially and other — am I willing to make for my writing? What regrets will I have if I don’t make these sacrifices?

Another quote from DeMarco -Barrett: “Look at your life and make some conscious choices. Whether you love or hate your job, you must figure out a way to commit to your writing. Find a way to bring creativity into your life, even if it means writing just fifteen minutes a day.”

This is so meaningful to me, especially now. It is wonderful guidance to be committed to writing and to be willing to sacrifice for it. I needed this encouragement. What do you think? What are you willing to sacrifice for your writing? And how are you bringing creativity into your life?

Got muse? A writer-to-writer meme

Today I’m going to tackle a little questionnaire created by fellow writer and blogger Emily Murdoch. I applaud the idea of the meme, which she explains at her blog:

http://emilymurdoch.wordpress.com/

Got Muse? A Writer-to-Writer Meme:

1) Where do you write?

I usually write in the spare bedroom which is also called “the women’s room” because almost all the art centers around women. There are two paintings by Patricia Wyatt that are especially inspiring. My favorite is of two women, one with eyes closed and one with eyes open, surrounded by dragonflies. There is also a print by a local artist, Elizabeth Stephenson, called “Coyote Goddess” in which a blue coyote is perched on a woman’s head, its blue arms and legs wrapping around her. Other key attributes of the room: it’s bright yellow with pale green accents. There are two cowgirl hats hanging from each end of the curtain rod over the french doors, which head out to a patch of desert. The barrister bookcase is filled with mementos from my two grandmothers, including their childhood tea sets, my first letter to grandmother Danna and her reply, Pink Puppy, and all my favorite books. I try to keep the desk relatively clear of clutter but it usually has a stack of New Yorkers and some mail on it. On the desk shelf is a small statue of the goddess of compassion, my talisman Native American bear carving, a wooden elephant and a cap that says “WRITER” on it. It’s a room that feels creative and safe.

2) When do you write?

I am still trying to find the “best time.” I work most effectively in the morning but sometimes I’m rushing to get to my day job. Lately I’ve been writing for short stints on my lunch break — 15-30 minutes at a picnic bench at the park in the small SoCal town where my office is.

3) Planner or Pantser?

Pantser. When I try to outline, my brain rebels and refuses to follow the designated path. I do keep a rough outline of what I’ve already written and I try to have a general feeling how the book is going to end.

4) Coffee or tea?

Both. Coffee only in the morning and usually only one cup. Tea when I’m traveling in Italy!

5) Pen and paper, or computer?

Computer for my mystery novel. Occasionally there is nothing better than scribbling down some ideas — or even a letter, poem or journal entry — on nice, crisp, cold paper.

6) What gets you in the writing mood?

Quiet mornings and returning to the house after walking the dogs.

7) What pulls you out of the writing mood?

The sense that I “should be doing something else.”

8 What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever read/heard/received?

“Writing Down the Bones” by Natalie Goldberg helped me to understand that writing is all about process, not about product. It’s a wonderful, inspiring book.

9) Got muse?

My muse comes from other writers and artists and everyone who cares deeply about this planet.

10) Who is the biggest supporter of your writing?

Almost everyone. I’ve been pleasantly surprised how much support I’ve received from friends, family and other writers. The dogs also love my writing because it keeps me home with them.

11) Sound or Silence?

Usually silence. I’d love to write to the sound of the ocean waves sometime though!

p.s. Here is the text of my first letter. What I like about it is that it is so direct (“I want to see you”) and rather stream-of-conscious:

Dear Dana and Grandad. I want to see you. The leaves are falling. I liked the time at the beach. Thankyou for the dog. He is so cute.

Creating characters

The main character in the mystery series I’m writing is a 20-something newspaper reporter named Pepper Morgan. She covers society news, which is still alive and well in Palm Springs, California.

I think of Pepper as a kind of grown-up Pippi Longstocking or Anne of Green Gables, two of my favorite characters in children’s books. Pepper is feisty, impulsive and passionate. Sometimes her actions get her into trouble but she’s always sincere and trust-worthy.

Pepper lives in a rented post-modern house in Palm Springs with her dog and cat. She loves her work at  The Daily Star but she also loves going out on the town with her best friend, Rick. And she loves being in Palm Springs — with its sunny friendly ways.

Pepper has some challenges ahead of her. She’s going to experience the decline of the newspaper industry and the impact of a shaky economy on high-society life. Her experiences are going to test her natural enthusiasm and, in the end, help her grow up a little.

I try to think of Pepper as a real person. I have a pretty good sense of her personality and motivation. I think I need to work on developing a better comprehension of how she looks, her mannerisms and her quirks.

What strategies have worked for you in developing believable, interesting characters? I’d love some tips or exercises for developing Pepper even further.

Michael Jackson: thoughts for mystery writers

Everyone is talking and writing about Michael Jackson, especially all of us here in Southern California. 

Even if you aren’t a huge fan, you have to recognize what a tremendous contribution Michael Jackson made to music, dance and culture. You also have to marvel at the instincts, skill and courage he showed in his drive to reach the top. He was the ultimate performer — on stage and, often, off. 

It seems there was so much hurt in his life that he was always childlike and fragile. Ultimately, he may have been vulnerable to those who would use him for his popularity or for his money. 

As a mystery writer, I’m also captivated by all the unknowns in his story. Why did he die so young? Who, if anyone, contributed to his death? Who really was this charismatic, troubled, supremely talented being? Why did he transform himself so dramatically from year to year? What would it have been like to spend a day with Michael Jackson? Who loved him, who hated him, who would hurt him? 

A version of Michael Jackson would be a great character in fiction — so brilliant but yet so troubled, so public and yet so shy, so huge an icon and yet so lonely. 

Maybe this is something you can think about in your writing. Are  your characters multi-dimensional, layered and flawed like Michael Jackson? Does your main character have the drive and conviction that he had when writing and performing his music? Are you creating motives for all your characters to love, envy, dance, hate and even kill? 

We writers can look around us — to our friends, our neighbors, our pop icons — and find amazing stories, characters and worlds to write about. Maybe today you can find inspiration in the King of Pop who lived in a world of animals and children and stunning stagecraft. Maybe today you can borrow a little of that brilliance and pain and conflict.

Michael Jackson joins the long list of talented, troubled, larger-than-life icons who die suddenly and so young. Sadly, he apparently expected such an early end. According to today’s LA Times, Lisa Marie Presley, his former wife, wrote in her MySpace page that Jackson predicted an early death and compared himself to her father, Elvis Presley. 

I was thinking about this sad premonition when I came across the words to the song, “Gone too soon,” which Jackson sang as a tribute to Ryan White, the profoundly brave boy who fought prejudice against AIDs. 

Here are the final stanzas of the song, which is available on the web site, www.allmichaeljackson.com

Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight
Here one day
Gone one night

Like a sunset
Dying with the rising of the moon
Gone too soon
Gone too soon

Some thoughts about plots

I just started reading “Mumbo Gumbo” by Jerrilyn Farmer. I can tell already it’s going to be an enjoyable read. 

I purchased the book at the California Crime Writers Conference conference after listening to Jerrilyn Farmer’s presentation, “You, too, can plot.” She was outstanding and really helped me to understand the principles — and the fun — of plotting. 

Jerrilyn said that the best plots please three separate groups: 1. The writer. 2 The characters and 3. Your readers. 

Obviously, you as the writer decide the tone, theme, setting and social commentary of the book. That’s your right as the creator of the story. But Jerrilyn pointed out that the characters can’t do things that they normally wouldn’t do. You as the writer have to figure out what would motivate your characters to behave in the ways you want them to behave. 

Finally, you have to consider your readers. Basically, she said, consider what kind of writing moves you as a reader. That is a great clue to what you should write. For example, if you love character-driven books, that is the kind of book  you probably should be writing. 

Another interesting point she made was about the theme of the novel. In a murder mystery, she said, the motive for the murder is often an echo of the theme — dishonesty, betrayal, need for fame, etc. — of the book. 

Jerrilyn has written eight books with her Madeline Bean mystery character. She’s also co-written a mystery with Joan Rivers. She made it clear that she loves the plotting work for her novels. 

As a new mystery writer, plotting for me is the hardest part. I plan to embrace the fun side of it too!

One iced chai with soy, one page written

One of the struggles I’ve had as a writer is finding time to write. During the work week, I leave the house about 7:30, commute an hour and 15 minutes, put in a full day of work and commute back. On a good day, this commute/work/commute routine takes about 12 hours. Then I feed the dogs and myself and … I’m exhausted. 

I’m sure that many writers face similar challenges. Add in a couple kids and I can’t even imagine how difficult it would be. 

Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, the author of “Pen on Fire,” offers some great advice to writers who think they are too busy to write. First, she suggests looking at what time you do have and how you use your time, For example, how much time am I spending surfing the Net? or watching TV? 

Then she suggests considering using one of these identified chunks of time to … write. 

In addition, DeMarco-Barrett cautions against holding out for some great uninterrupted space of WRITING TIME. Instead, she says, look for 15 minute bits of time. She actually had us do a rapid writing exercise that was wonderful — and it took about seven minutes. 

I used this strategy yesterday when I was getting my car serviced. I walked from the mechanics down to the local Starbucks and ordered an iced chai with soy. Then I plugged in my old Mac laptop and plunged into a scene. An hour later, when I got the call about my car being ready, I didn’t want to leave. I finished the scene and felt great. 

So now I’m looking for more 15-minute, 30-minute and 45-minute bits of treasured writing time. 

Give it a try and let me know if it works for you!

Paranoia: it’s not all bad

So I took my Subaru Forester in for servicing today. It had just crossed the 100,000 miles mark and I was worried. I thought it might need major brake work. Whenever I used to take it to the dealership, it always needed brake work and — mysteriously! — that work was never covered under the warranty. 

But my new independent mechanics are great. I’ve been saving hundreds of dollars since I switched to them AND my Forester is driving better than ever before. 

Today’s bill? Less than $60. 

I was so happy when I got in the car to drive off. $60! That was way less than I’d expected. 

And then I thought, “What if they charged me so little because they rigged my car to blow up when I started the ignition?”

OK, honestly, who thinks such horrible thoughts? Uh, me. And I guess that’s why I’m a writer!