Writing
Lessons of an Independent Author: The Power of Your Personal Story
by Lisa A Kramer
I have a theory about how people read in our world.
Of course, I can't prove this theory without launching a massive research project, but if my theory is correct it influences how people buy and sell books.
Basically, my idea goes like this. With an increase in technology and access to information of all kinds, we (as a society) have become ever more fascinated by the lives of people we will never actually meet. This suggests that even an avid reader of fiction (like myself) yearns to know a little bit more about the person behind the book. We want to feel like this author would be our best friend, or at least would enjoy scintillating conversation over a cup of...
Of course, I can't prove this theory without launching a massive research project, but if my theory is correct it influences how people buy and sell books.
Basically, my idea goes like this. With an increase in technology and access to information of all kinds, we (as a society) have become ever more fascinated by the lives of people we will never actually meet. This suggests that even an avid reader of fiction (like myself) yearns to know a little bit more about the person behind the book. We want to feel like this author would be our best friend, or at least would enjoy scintillating conversation over a cup of...
Lessons of an Independent Author: The Power of Publicity
by Lisa A Kramer
I won't deny it. I had this fantasy that I would wake up sometime during the month of December to discover that I had become an overnight best-selling author sensation.
Of course that is pure fantasy in a world where hundreds of thousands of new books are published daily; the chances of one tiny novel standing out are phenomenal. This article from the Huffington Post explains it all: "The Ten Awful Truths--and the Ten Wonderful Truths--About Book Publishing". After the first surge of sales (which in non-famous, newbie author terms was about 25 paperbacks during one week), it has inevitably slowed down to a trickle (6 paperbacks last week, but up from the week before). These numbers don't include the books...
Of course that is pure fantasy in a world where hundreds of thousands of new books are published daily; the chances of one tiny novel standing out are phenomenal. This article from the Huffington Post explains it all: "The Ten Awful Truths--and the Ten Wonderful Truths--About Book Publishing". After the first surge of sales (which in non-famous, newbie author terms was about 25 paperbacks during one week), it has inevitably slowed down to a trickle (6 paperbacks last week, but up from the week before). These numbers don't include the books...
The Power of Community
by Lisa A Kramer
We live in a world where more can be accomplished if we work together than if we stand alone. That is a lesson that I am slowly coming to learn, and that more of us need to learn. It doesn't work, however, if we are working together for selfish reasons--if the goal is only about personal gain instead of benefiting self and others.
I know what I sound like politically, but I really do believe this. I believe that we can have both, individual success and mutual respect for one another. We do not have to step on one another's backs as we crawl to the top.
At the same time, this world has become so much more complicated when it comes...
The Power of Persistence
by Lisa A Kramer
When I was a little girl, I had many big dreams. I was going to:
be the President of the United States. (That is a dream I willingly let go, I have no desire to play political games).
become a doctor that cured all kinds of diseases. (Not sure why I let that one go, not my true calling I guess)
be discovered at someone's concert (I believe it was Donny Osmond, Sean Cassidy, Sting, or {gulp} Barry Manilow) pulled up on stage as he sang to me and fell in love, and then turned into an instant movie/rock star.
become a famous actress/director
become an international diplomat who somehow brought peace to the entire world
make enough money (doing some kind of business, but don't...
The Arts: My Weapon of Choice
by Lisa A Kramer
Today is Arts Matter Day, a campaign developed by MassCreative to advocate for the importance and the value of the arts, and to encourage people to consider the arts when they vote.
I know, there are lots of issues to consider when it comes to voting, and perhaps support of the arts seems low on the list when you compare it to things like climate change, equality, the economy, ISIS, ebola etc. etc. etc. However, to me the arts are as valuable as the sciences (although in a different way) toward solving the problems in the world.
The arts have power--to make people think, to give people hope, to encourage and promote change. I, personally, could not live in a world without access to the...
I know, there are lots of issues to consider when it comes to voting, and perhaps support of the arts seems low on the list when you compare it to things like climate change, equality, the economy, ISIS, ebola etc. etc. etc. However, to me the arts are as valuable as the sciences (although in a different way) toward solving the problems in the world.
The arts have power--to make people think, to give people hope, to encourage and promote change. I, personally, could not live in a world without access to the...
Friends, Books, Words and Announcements: A Week of Unexpected Surprises
by Lisa A Kramer
"It's Lisa's fault that I'm here."
Andra Watkins said this several times at presentations during her whirlwind tour of Massachusetts this week.
Let's back up a few months. Last May, I ventured to my friend Jannatha's house for the first meeting of a newly formed Book Club! (that's what it's called at the moment) made up of women I was meeting for the first time. We had a delightful meeting discussing The Museum of Extraordinary Things. As the evening progressed, we planned how we might choose the next books and people began throwing out titles. Somehow, because this is a group of bright, organized, enthusiastic women, we managed to pick titles for the following three book group meetings. The title I suggested was...
Andra Watkins said this several times at presentations during her whirlwind tour of Massachusetts this week.
Let's back up a few months. Last May, I ventured to my friend Jannatha's house for the first meeting of a newly formed Book Club! (that's what it's called at the moment) made up of women I was meeting for the first time. We had a delightful meeting discussing The Museum of Extraordinary Things. As the evening progressed, we planned how we might choose the next books and people began throwing out titles. Somehow, because this is a group of bright, organized, enthusiastic women, we managed to pick titles for the following three book group meetings. The title I suggested was...
No Time to Write, But Something for You to Read
by Lisa A Kramer
I have been missing in action when it comes to posting, or anything to do with writing beyond working on syllabi for the upcoming semester. This summer has turned out to be a little crazier than expected. Between single parenting in the beginning, trying to get everything together to (hopefully) buy our house, leaving for the summer theatre in Iowa, and now working box office for that theatre I've barely had time to think, let alone write.
Last week, Sarah performed a little Shakespeare.
However, I have exciting news about my words.
Another Short Story, Another Anthology . . .
First, another short story of mine is AVAILABLE NOW on Amazon in Theme-Thology: Real World Unreal.
While I am proud of all...
Last week, Sarah performed a little Shakespeare.
However, I have exciting news about my words.
Another Short Story, Another Anthology . . .
First, another short story of mine is AVAILABLE NOW on Amazon in Theme-Thology: Real World Unreal.
While I am proud of all...
Learning Literary and Life Lessons #NESCBWI14
by Lisa A Kramer
"Because I wasn't mad I saw something beautiful. I saw a color I had never seen before." (Peter Reynolds)
In his keynote address at the NESCBWI conference yesterday, Peter Reynolds--award-winning author and illustrator of North Star, The Dot, and Ish--shared his philosophies on writing, life, art and the way he creates. The above quote comes from a story he told about his (then) young daughter pouring water over his entire paint set thereby creating a color he could not describe. That color, eventually, made its way into his book, The Dot
.
His talk resonated with me on so many levels. From his idea that there are "two kinds of adults in the world"--adult adults and child adults--to his attitude that he is "a gentle rebel. Rules are...
Taking a Literary Plunge
by Lisa A Kramer
Tomorrow I will attend my second NESCBWI conference . . . the conference which just last year encouraged me to take control of my own website and start building my creative platform.
Tomorrow I will not just be attending the conference, I will also be presenting a workshop called "From Stage to Page: Using Creative Dramatics to Inspire Writing". My "experienced-theatre artist-educator-HeArtful Theatre company cofounder" personality will merge with my "writer-who-has-a-few-articles-and-short-stories-published-as-well-as-two-novels-written-but-still-feels-like-a-newbie" personality to, hopefully, inspire people in a creative way.
Can you tell that I am nervous?
There's also one other thing that will happen tomorrow. I will commit, in a public forum, to publishing P.O.W.ER. I am committing to believing in myself as an author, and my book will be out as soon...
Tomorrow I will not just be attending the conference, I will also be presenting a workshop called "From Stage to Page: Using Creative Dramatics to Inspire Writing". My "experienced-theatre artist-educator-HeArtful Theatre company cofounder" personality will merge with my "writer-who-has-a-few-articles-and-short-stories-published-as-well-as-two-novels-written-but-still-feels-like-a-newbie" personality to, hopefully, inspire people in a creative way.
Can you tell that I am nervous?
There's also one other thing that will happen tomorrow. I will commit, in a public forum, to publishing P.O.W.ER. I am committing to believing in myself as an author, and my book will be out as soon...
The Power of the Arts
by Lisa A Kramer
I have been silent for several weeks.
I suppose you could argue that I had writer's block, but it's more than that. I have grown tired of the words that seem to flood our existence, but change nothing as people hold stubbornly to their belief systems unwilling to hear or read the logic in an argument. I no longer felt the desire to contribute to the cacophony, because it seemed like even the most eloquent and truthful words get lost in the mire of meanness that seems to flood the internet wherever you look.
However, today I read an article that makes me want to climb up on my soapbox again, and shout words until somebody listens. The Washington Post published an...
I suppose you could argue that I had writer's block, but it's more than that. I have grown tired of the words that seem to flood our existence, but change nothing as people hold stubbornly to their belief systems unwilling to hear or read the logic in an argument. I no longer felt the desire to contribute to the cacophony, because it seemed like even the most eloquent and truthful words get lost in the mire of meanness that seems to flood the internet wherever you look.
However, today I read an article that makes me want to climb up on my soapbox again, and shout words until somebody listens. The Washington Post published an...
Creative Spotlight: Lemonade and Holy Stuff
by Lisa A Kramer
I have a love-hate relationship with the concept of self-publishing. I know it can be done well, and in the back of my mind I am still flirting with the possibility for my own work. There are ample examples of self-published author's who are extremely talented writers but who chose or were forced into the less traditional path for any number of reasons:
They can't get a foot in the tiny crack of an open door to a traditional publishing house
They write in a genre or a mix of genres that are difficult to categorize
They haven't found the "agent in the haystack" that loves their work--a search which is akin to internet dating without the ability to even ask a single...
Life as an Afterthought: A Fable
by Lisa A Kramer
Once upon a time, in the kingdom under the sea, there was a dolphin named Delbin who lived life as an afterthought.
It all started, she supposed, when she was born. Her parents were important dolphins in the dolphin community. Her father was head of the dolphin school, educating young dolphins. Her mother organized the support and care of orphaned dolphins, which happened often in the violent world of the kingdom under the sea.
Delbin's older sister was born first, and as often happens with first children, the parents gloried over the newness of creating life. Her life was recorded and documented in endless ways: pictures preserved in dolphin bubbles; baby books made of seashells that marked every accomplishment; giant clam shells...
It all started, she supposed, when she was born. Her parents were important dolphins in the dolphin community. Her father was head of the dolphin school, educating young dolphins. Her mother organized the support and care of orphaned dolphins, which happened often in the violent world of the kingdom under the sea.
Delbin's older sister was born first, and as often happens with first children, the parents gloried over the newness of creating life. Her life was recorded and documented in endless ways: pictures preserved in dolphin bubbles; baby books made of seashells that marked every accomplishment; giant clam shells...
Multiple Reading Personalities: What I Have Learned
by Lisa A Kramer
I read a lot.
I read for many reasons, and many different types of materials.
Sometimes I read things I have to read, but more often I read things I want to read. Yet, if you ask me the question "what is your favorite book or genre?" I can't answer. I read what I feel like at any given moment. I read what calls to me. I read for different reasons. I read to feed my multiple reading personalities.
Even though I can't name a favorite book or genre, I can--to some extent--categorize the books I read, although my categories do not in any way resemble the categories used by booksellers and publishers around the world. Maybe that's part of my problem when...
I read for many reasons, and many different types of materials.
Sometimes I read things I have to read, but more often I read things I want to read. Yet, if you ask me the question "what is your favorite book or genre?" I can't answer. I read what I feel like at any given moment. I read what calls to me. I read for different reasons. I read to feed my multiple reading personalities.
Even though I can't name a favorite book or genre, I can--to some extent--categorize the books I read, although my categories do not in any way resemble the categories used by booksellers and publishers around the world. Maybe that's part of my problem when...
The Healing Power of Letters
by Lisa A Kramer
Some of you may recall that I had set myself a challenge in December to write a letter a day for the entire month. I didn't succeed, or a least not completely. I lost track, but I think I wrote about 15 letters before the overwhelming emotions of dealing with the anniversary of my father's death plus the depressing news that I would be underemployed this semester sucked all the energy out of my system.
The letters I wrote were to a variety of people: old friends who I haven't been in touch with for a while; new friends who I've had lunch with recently; blogging friends whom I've never even met; long-distance friends who I hear from at least once...
The letters I wrote were to a variety of people: old friends who I haven't been in touch with for a while; new friends who I've had lunch with recently; blogging friends whom I've never even met; long-distance friends who I hear from at least once...
The Value of Good Writing
by Lisa A Kramer
I feel like a prostitute.
Since I need to supplement my income to some extent this spring, I decided to take the plunge deeper into the world of freelance, selling my writing/editing services to those who might have need. I jumped in with enthusiasm, thinking I have so much to offer and could perhaps make some spending money (at the very least) doing something that I enjoy.
But then ugly reality smacked me in the face--many people undervalue the time and effort that goes into writing. They seem to think its easy and doesn't take much time, so they shouldn't have to pay much. For example: There's the man who wants 30 articles (around 500 words each) for $30.00 total. There the company that...
Since I need to supplement my income to some extent this spring, I decided to take the plunge deeper into the world of freelance, selling my writing/editing services to those who might have need. I jumped in with enthusiasm, thinking I have so much to offer and could perhaps make some spending money (at the very least) doing something that I enjoy.
But then ugly reality smacked me in the face--many people undervalue the time and effort that goes into writing. They seem to think its easy and doesn't take much time, so they shouldn't have to pay much. For example: There's the man who wants 30 articles (around 500 words each) for $30.00 total. There the company that...
What's With All the Vampire's? or Why I Hate Book Categories
by Lisa A Kramer
I know. When you're trying to market a book, whether to an agent, a publisher or a reading audience as you self-publish, you need to categorize it in some way for marketing purposes. I get it. I understand. Except that I don't, really.
You see, I'm trying to be a good author. I'm trying to read extensively in the genres that I think I'm writing so that I can clearly label my own work. I know that I am aiming at middle grade readers (in one of my manuscripts) and young adult/new adult in my others . . but really I want to have cross-generational appeal. Because the reality is that most of the books I love recently speak across the...
You see, I'm trying to be a good author. I'm trying to read extensively in the genres that I think I'm writing so that I can clearly label my own work. I know that I am aiming at middle grade readers (in one of my manuscripts) and young adult/new adult in my others . . but really I want to have cross-generational appeal. Because the reality is that most of the books I love recently speak across the...
Publicize, Publicize, Publicize
by Lisa A Kramer
We all know that doing good work isn't enough nowadays. Sometimes, it seems that quality doesn't matter at all (see my post called "A Best Selling Author? Really?!!")
The unfortunate truth is that in order to achieve anything we need to get our work noticed, and the only way to do that is to spend more time getting it out there, which of course means less time creating and perfecting our work. It's a vicious cycle.
You would think that social media might make it easier, but it doesn't really. The truth is, the more inundated I am with advertisements or announcements the more they just become visual background noise to the stuff that I'm really interested in hearing, seeing, or reading.
When...
The unfortunate truth is that in order to achieve anything we need to get our work noticed, and the only way to do that is to spend more time getting it out there, which of course means less time creating and perfecting our work. It's a vicious cycle.
You would think that social media might make it easier, but it doesn't really. The truth is, the more inundated I am with advertisements or announcements the more they just become visual background noise to the stuff that I'm really interested in hearing, seeing, or reading.
When...
Creating a Web of Kindness: The Connections We Make
by Lisa A Kramer
A few days ago I got a message from a former student ago asking if I would mind looking over an essay she was working on for a graduate school fellowship. I readily agreed, even though I haven't had this student for 4 or 5 years. It didn't take a lot time (as she is already a good writer) but I felt good that I was able to make some suggestions to strengthen her statement. I also had to put myself in the unfamiliar role of scientist, which was kind of fun and led to this brilliant sentence:
"For example, Dr So and so of Whosamajig University is studying yadayada, while a team of researchers based in blah blah blah is...
Embracing the NaNo
by Lisa A Kramer
For several years I've been kind of anti the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) because in some ways I believe it establishes a false relationship between word count and quality work. Several years ago, in my own teaching, I got rid of word count and/or page limits on papers that I've assigned to my classes. Instead I would say things like:
"This needs to be as long as it needs to be to provide quality information and answers to the assignment. You cannot do that in only a couple of pages. I am more concerned with quality than quantity. If you can say what you need to say in fewer pages, that's fine. But if you ramble on and on just...
Clear Writing Counts
by Lisa A Kramer
We can't all be brilliant writers. Just as we can't all be brilliant mathematicians, painters, doctors, musicians, scientists, speakers, etc., etc.
I get that. The line between basic skills and true talent is a thick one--one which requires training, practice, more training, more practice, a lot of hard work (and perhaps a bit of innate talent).
I'd like to think that--even in a flawed educational system like ours--most people learn somewhere along the way to communicate in basic sentences, and to be able to write those sentences down. I like chocolate. I wish I had a million dollars. I like to write. Not brilliant sentences by any means, but they communicate the point to some extent.
Of course, as people move through the education system, as well...
