Finding An Audience for Your Writing

Photo/Acuzio 

When was the last time you paused from your writing and thought, “Who is my audience?” It seems like a simple question and one with an immediate answer. But when you really stop and think about it you may find the answer is more fuzzy than you thought.

Whether you’re writing blog posts, magazine articles, a book or website copy, you have to know the audience for your words. Answering that question will help you through the research, writing and editing phases of your work. 

For example, I’ve written a large number of articles for businesses magazines and newspapers. I know the audience is a business crowd – educated people with an understanding of phrases like “ROI” and “succession planning.” I don’t need to waste words explaining these concepts in great detail.

Who is your audience?

A blog post by literary agent Rachelle Gardner sums up this concept nicely: “Make your blog about your reader.”

Sounds like “writing concepts for dummies,” but we can get so caught up in our writing we tend to forget who we’re writing for and who’s reading our work. Gardner points to “engagement” as a critical component of your blog. That means getting people to not only read your blog once but come back time and again. The same could be said for books, articles and other forms of writing where were want to develop an audience – a group of people who truly want to read what we have to write.

If you’re struggling to determine your audience, take a look back over your work and see what generated the most response. This is easy to do on a blog where you can measure hits and comments and certainly if you’ve published a book you’ll know if people are buying and reading. What blog post, for example, had a lot of comments? Did something in that post resonate with your target audience?

Maybe you write simply as a hobby, a way to express yourself creatively. That’s OK if the audience is you. Most of us, though, want readers, people who will engage with us on this writing journey, but they can’t engage with you if you’re not writing for them.

Do you struggle with determining your audience? In what ways have you answered this question for yourself? 

How To: Start Writing Again

Christmas is over and if your like me you've realized you haven't written anything, in well, a month. Since being stuffed with turkey your blog hasn't been stuff with anything. Here are some great ways to get your writing grove back.

Participate in a link up:
Link up are a great way to not only write something, but meet other bloggers. Most bloggers out there host a link up or participate. Link ups are easy to use. There is normally some sort of writing prompt,  a place to add your link, then a list of people who have "linked up" where you can ready what they have posted.

Read:
Reading goes a long way. Reading gets those wheels turning, rattles off the dust and can inspire you.

Journal/ Free writing:
I love these two! I not only have a blog, but keep an actual journal. The act of handwriting helps my brain focus. Many times I use my journal as a free writing tool. Free writing is a simple exercise where you just start to write with out any thought of structure. Sometimes when you read back over your writing you find some great quotes you can use, but most of the time is just random writing. It doesn't matter because it gets you writing again.

Let's have a Voices link up!

What are you looking forward to in 2013?

Just Start Writing

Photo/www.poemuseum.org

Have you ever felt paralyzed by your ideas? You have the genesis for a book, short story or blog post but the idea doesn’t feel fully formed so you decide to think on it. And think. And think. And think. In fact, you may think on it so long you never even getting around to writing it. Or you may sit down at the computer, hands poised over the keyboard ready to write, but when the words don’t flow and the thoughts don’t gel in your mind, you get frustrated.

In these situations look to Edgar Allan Poe and just write. An article in the October issue of The Writer lays out Poe’s advice to writers (“Advice from the crypt” by B.K. Stevens). While we know Poe wrote creepy poems and haunting mysteries, he also wrote about the subject of writing.

The article notes:

The “mere” act of writing, Poe believed, helps writers make their ideas not only clearer but more logical. To use his phrase, the process of writing contributes to “the logicalization of thought.”

It’s a rare situation that our work is perfect in the first draft. We always go back and make edits or rearrange sentences. But you have to have some words on the page before you can begin the editing process. So taking that first step toward simply writing will set you on the path. No one has to read that first (second or even third) draft so let the words flow onto the page and you may just find that by picking up a pen or sitting at the keyboard your thoughts will be begin to make sense. 

There's An App for That

Photo/Brian Lary

Whether you’re writing blog posts, magazine articles, books or something else, you know the amount of research, information and ideas you have can be massive. I know I’m continually running across a useful blog or article or brainstorming some great blog post ideas. 

So how do you manage the volume of words and ideas you have?

Charleston blogger Andra Watkins (and a recent guest at Voices Third Thursday) recommended a program called Scrivener. She’s used it to keep her book projects organized. I’ve not used this program myself but it looks great for keeping track of information and seems useful for a variety of writing projects. 

A favorite tool of mine is Dropbox. Sign up for free and use this program to share files with others or among devices. If I’m working on something on my laptop, I can pop it into Dropbox and, thanks to the Dropbox app for the iPad, keep working on it on my tablet. If you collaborate with others or need to share files with clients, this program works great for that. I finally had to upgrade to a paid subscription of $60 a year, but that's pretty reasonable considering how much I use it.

If you’re like me, you probably have a zillion projects going on at the same time so you need to make sure you’re being efficient with your time. And if you’re working on a billable project, you’ll need a way to keep track of your hours. I use a free time management program called ClockingIt. In the year I’ve used this program, it’s only been down once. But, hey, it’s free, so I really can’t complain.

Don't let a computer meltdown or hard drive crash wipe out all your work. I use Carbonite, which starts at $59 a year. I consider that a bargain compared to the time it would take to recreate all my files. I also recently got a new laptop and just let Carbonite upload all my files to my new computer.

Here’s a good post from 10,000 Words on the 25 Most Popular Apps for Freelancers. 

I’d love to hear what tools, apps and programs you use to keep yourself organized and on track. 

Fact or Fiction?

Photo/ Chris Greene

We all have a story to tell, some piece of our past, some experience that has molded and shaped us. But is it enough for a book? Or does it need some embellishment to really make it readable?

I recently read an article from The Writer magazine in which the author, Art Edwards, poses that question and wonders how far writers should go in manipulating experiences to create an engaging memoir.

We’re certainly familiar with authors who went too far (James Frey) in writing a “memoir” when maybe they would have been better off to have written a fiction piece or a book that was “based on” actual events.

A good story is a good story and people may love the work regardless of its label. But as Edwards points out in his column, “For writers, however, the difference between writing novels and writing a memoir is significant. The more you invent in your work, the less likely you can call it a memoir.”

For most of us the line may be very clear and we’re not tempted to invent entire experiences under the guise of a memoir. But what about adding a line of dialogue or what happens when you remember an incident, but you don’t remember every last detail? Do you make up the color of the walls? Do you insert something you think you said?

As Edwards closes the column, he notes, “It’s up to each writer to decide if her life informs her work, or is contrived for the sake of it.”

How do you handle these situations? Have you written a memoir and dealt with this issue?

Last week I spoke at our Voices Third Thursday meeting on how to make a career as a freelancer. So, I thought I would share a few tips about how to be a good freelancer and keep those assignments rolling in: 

• Respect deadlines. Turning in an assignment late -- especially more than once -- makes editors grumpy and lessens the chances they will turn to you for future assignments.
• Be familiar with the publication. This means reading a few issues and understanding the various departments, the tone, the focus and the kind of content they publish.
• Pitch the right contact/editor. Sometimes it’s hard to know exactly who that is, but at least check out the masthead or even the website where there are often submission guidelines. If it’s still unclear, you can always call and ask.
• Accept edits and rewrites. Don’t be offended if the editor asks you to rework a piece. That’s part of the business and will help you develop thick skin. Use it as an opportunity to learn some new writing techniques.
• Follow AP Style (or the publication’s preferred style). Most newspaper and magazines follow Associated Press style rules so familiarize yourself with those. Editors are happy when they don’t have to edit a ton of style (and grammar) errors. And happy editors give you more assignments.
• Make yourself invaluable. Act like part of the team even if you aren’t technically on staff. Become that go-to freelancer who meets deadlines, writes clean copy, pitches good ideas and is pleasant. 

Value Your Work

This week I’ll be speaking at our Voices Third Thursdays meeting on the topic of making a career as a freelance writer. One piece of advice I’ll be sure to mention is the importance of seeing yourself as a professional writer and not devaluing your work by charging too little.

A few years back I signed up for a three-month subscription to Guru.com. This is a site where people post jobs and then you can bid on the work. I’d get a daily email of writing-related jobs and then could decide if I wanted to place my bid. I bid on a few and ended up getting one blogging job that lasted more than a year so it was worth the $100 I paid for the subscription.

But, what shocked me was the number of horrible jobs that were posted. People wanted tons of copy written for a $5. I’m not exaggerating - $5! That’s not worth booting up your computer. The sad fact is that people are willing to work for that.

I discourage writers from working for free or taking low-paying jobs. Yes, a few exceptions apply, including doing pro bono work for a beloved nonprofit or because you value the publication and really want that clip.

But as a general rule, get paid (and paid well) for your work. If you’re pursuing a full-time career as a freelancer, you’ll never make a living on $5 checks.

That may not be my traditional Monday “nuts and bolts” kind of writing tip but it’s an important one nonetheless. Getting paid what you’re worth not only shows others value your work but, more importantly, that you value it too.  

How Do You Write?

The back page of each issue of The Writer magazine is devoted to a feature called “How I Write.” Authors give you a glimpse into their writing routines and styles. For example, the September 2012 issue features novelist Lauren Fox. 

Fox has two small children so she writes whenever she can, she says. (Makes me feel better to know other writers cram their writing life into their “regular” lives.) Fox goes on to explain how she prefers to use outlines and enjoys writing first-person because it is “immediate and intimate.”

In the May issue,Tawni O’Dell says she doesn’t have a writing routine and that she spends as much time thinking as she does writing. “It takes me at least two years of struggling with my characters and story to complete a novel.” (Again, I feel much better!)

O’Dell also says her books are character-driven and she begins the writing process focused on the characters, not a plot. She doesn’t outline and she takes very few notes.

These two women have very different writing styles, but they have figured out what works best for them.

Have you stopped to think about how you write and what kind of writer you are (or aspire to be)? If you find yourself struggling or trying to fit a preconceived notion of a “writer,” stop and think about how you work best. Are you an early morning writer? Do you make outlines or notes? Do you like to fill the computer screen with words and scenes, worrying about tying it all together later? Any combination of those is correct.

Don’t make outlines if you hate outlines. Don’t try to work at 8 p.m. knowing full well you’re at your best at 7 a.m. How do you write? Let’s hear about your routines and your process, remembering each of us is different and each of us is right. 

I Like the Way You Talk

I think one of the hardest things to write has to be dialogue. In theory it should be simple, right? We’re just writing a conversation and we all have conversations. 

But the trick is making the writing sound like an actual conversation. I’ve read works in which the dialogue sounded forced and stiff. You also have to keep in mind accents, cultural references, connotations and slang.

So, what are some ways to write dialogue well?

This article at About.com has some good tips, including this one:

Alfred Hitchcock said that a good story was "life, with the dull parts taken out." This very much applies to dialogue. A transcription of a conversation would be completely boring to read. Edit out the filler words and unessential dialogue — that is, the dialogue that doesn't contribute to the plot in some way.

Author Alice Kuipers suggests reading the dialogue aloud, a sure way to determine if it sounds realistic. She also cautions that dialogue should move the story forward. So don’t add in dialogue just for the sake of dialogue.

What are your tips and techniques for writing good dialogue? 

Go Ahead, Punch It!

Make it punchy. Have you ever heard that about your writing? In short, it means to tighten up a sentence and select words with “punch” rather that “fluff.” 

Of course, that’s easier said than done, but one idea is to take a selection of your work – a chapter, blog post or a couple pages of a short story – and circle the adverbs in red and the adjectives in blue.

Does your work resemble an American flag? Then you may be relying too heavily on adjectives and adverbs to do the work strong nouns and verbs can do. Our grade school English classes did us a disservice by requiring a certain number of words or pages so in typical 14-year-old fashion we added a bunch of adjectives and adverbs to get to the needed word count or page limit. Everything was suddenly “pretty,” “very” and “really.” And it was really very boring.

Look at the words you circled and work toward eliminating half of them. This means spending more time selecting the best word or series of words. It’s much harder to write tight, but short sentences pack a punch.

I’d love to hear your techniques for adding punch to your writing. 

Write When You Can

As a full-time freelancer, I spend my days researching and writing newspaper and magazine articles, blogging for my social media clients and copywriting for businesses. And I have the work of running my own businesses (sending invoices, putting together client reports, looking for new publications I can pitch). 

Oh, I also have a husband, a 4-year-old daughter and a love of sleep. So when exactly do I have time for the “me” writing, the time to write witty and engaging blogs posts for my own website or finally get to Chapter 2 on the nonfiction book I’m writing?

My challenges aren’t unique. Many of us are overwhelmed with our day jobs, families, social obligations and volunteer work so our writing often falls to the bottom of the to-do list. Our Voices leadership group was discussing this at a recent meeting and one comment really resonated with me: to get over the idea of having to carve out huge blocks of time for writing.

I tend to think I need to sit aside at least two hours to work on my book, but more often than not, two minutes is more realistic. Why don’t I take advantage of the moments I do have to write a few lines or jot down some ideas?

We all have 10 minutes when we’re waiting for the kids’ soccer practice to wrap up or sitting in the doctor’s office waiting room. Use those moments to do a little writing. Carry a notebook in your purse or use the notepad app on your phone.

I do a lot of thinking in the car. I’ve occasionally used the recording app on my phone to capture thoughts and ideas. Or once you get to your destination, grab your notebook and scribble down the ideas that came to you while driving.

Yes, I’ll still need those chunks of uninterrupted time to really develop my book, but at least I can feel like I’m making some progress if I make the best use of the time I do have.

How do you make time for writing? Do you work in blocks of time or squeeze out a sentence or two as you can? 

Launching a Platform

I’ve had several conversations with fellow writers lately about developing a “platform.” The way the publishing industry works these days is that you essentially need a following before you ever publish a book. 

By having a platform and thus a substantial following you’re guaranteeing at least some people will purchase your book because they already like what you have to say.

Building a platform can be a bit daunting if you’re just starting out but, hey, you have to start somewhere. So, if you’re looking to grow your audience, here are three places to start:

• Have a blog. Even if you’re writing a book, consider starting a blog on the same or related topic. You can try out a few paragraphs from your book or bounce ideas off your blog readers. Be sure to promote your blog on other social media channels.
• Start tweeting. Don’t be intimidated by Twitter. The most important thing is to interact with others who are tweeting about your subject and who are interested in what you have to say. Twitter is a great place to build community and your brand.
• Comment on other blogs. Find other blogs on your topic of interest and comment on them. Be sure to include your own blog address and Twitter handle so people can find you.

How are you building your platform? What questions about platform can we address here on the Voices blog?  

Is it Time for a Break?

Photo/www.atlanticwebworks.com

One way to actually improve your writing is to, well, stop writing – at least for little bit. I’m not talking weeks or months but maybe just a day or even a few hours, especially if you’ve found yourself staring at a blinking cursor since breakfast.

True, the only way to accomplish anything as a writer is to just sit down and start writing but sometimes writer’s block hits us and we need to step away. Separating yourself from non-stop thinking about your work can give you some clarity and perspective.

You also can try talking through your piece with a colleague, spouse or friend. In the course of your conversation you might discover just the spark you need. I once heard a great way to find the most important part of a news story is to pretend like you’re calling your mom, your friend or your husband and then think about the first thing you say. That’s the lead paragraph of your article.

A similar principal can apply to all styles of writing: what’s the point of the story?

Pausing to think, talk and clear your mind can bring a new spark and creativity to your writing you probably won’t find while staring at your computer screen.

Have you taken a break from your writing? Do you talk about your writing with others? How does it help spark your creativity?

Revise, Revise and Revise Some More

A huge part of writing is revising. This is especially true when it comes to longer, more in-depth pieces, such as lengthy magazine articles, short stories and books. Every writer needs an editor to help her develop the flow, point out parts that don’t make sense and simply correct grammatical errors or typos.

But before you ask a trusted colleague to read your piece or hire a professional editor, make sure you’ve done a complete self edit. First, give your work some room to breathe. Set it aside for a day or even two and then come back to it with fresh eyes. You’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to find the problem areas.

Go through the piece carefully, looking for extraneous or overused words along with trite phrases or clichés.

Here’s a great article from The Writer magazine with seven editing questions to ask yourself as you review your piece. One great tip is to read your work aloud. It helps you discover awkward sentences or cumbersome phrasing.

What are your tried-and-true editing tips and techniques? 

Be a Reader to Be a Writer

Photo/Steven Forster, Random House

I’ve been to countless writing workshops and journalism conferences over the years and the speakers always give the same piece of advice when it comes to being a better writer: be a better reader. By reading the work of other writers you can learn how to develop a voice, how to craft a phrase and how to make your writing more descriptive.

Don’t feel you have to limit your reading to the “classics” or books about writing. Read anything and everything – fiction, non-fiction, magazines, blogs, the daily newspaper. Surround yourself with words.

One of my all-time favorite writers is Rick Bragg, an author, former New York Times reporter and Pulitzer Prize winner. Bragg achieves something that is incredibly difficult: writing that is simple and powerful. In just a sentence or two he can paint a picture, transport you to another time or evoke an emotion.

Check out his book “Somebody Told Me,” a collection of his newspaper stories. Originally from Alabama, Bragg has written books about his family and growing up in the Deep South, “All Over But the Shoutin’,” “Ava’s Man” and “The Prince of Frogtown.” You’ll also find his work in Southern Living and Garden & Gun magazines.

Bragg’s writing is really incredible, and I think you’ll be inspired by his style.

Do you have an author you like to read for his or her writing? I’d love to hear your suggestions!

Removing 'That' Word

One of the most commonly overused words is “that.” So much of the time you can delete “that” word and the sentence doesn’t lose any of its meaning.

When using “that” as a conjunction, its purpose is to introduce a dependent clause if the sentence sounds or looks awkward without it. But as the Associated Press Stylebook notes, there are no hard-and-fast rules.

One easy way to rid your copy of too many “that’s” is removing it after the word “said.” For example, Mary said she was ready to share her new blog post. See how removing “that” doesn’t impact the meaning of the sentence?

One important distinction is the difference between “that” and “which.” Use “that” for essential clauses important to the meaning of the sentence (no comma needed). Use “which” for nonessential clauses and offset the clause with a comma. A good way to remember the difference: if you can drop the clause and not impact the meaning of the sentence, use “which.”

Are your sentences cluttered with “that?” Could you delete few and make your writing cleaner? What other words are overused?